SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
AST SpaceMobile logo AST SpaceMobile Operates a space-based cellular broadband network delivering 4G and 5G connectivity directly to standard smartphones via LEO satellites vs Space Machines Company Builds rapid-response orbital servicing vehicles for close-proximity inspection, monitoring, and protection of space assets across all Earth orbits Space Machines Company logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
AST SpaceMobile Space Machines Company
Founded 2017 2019
Headquarters Midland, Texas Botany, Australia
Type public private
Status operating operating
Employees 613 38
Total funding $5.5M
Latest round Grant
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Satellite Manufacturing In-Orbit Servicing & Assembly, Satellite Manufacturing, Space Domain Awareness
Products listed 5 4
Federal contracts
Launches
Leaders listed Abel Avellan, Scott Wisniewski, Andrew Johnson Rajat Kulshrestha, George Freney, Mark Ramsey
News mentions 1 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do AST SpaceMobile and Space Machines Company compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Manufacturing. AST SpaceMobile was founded in 2017 and Space Machines Company in 2019.

Which is larger, AST SpaceMobile or Space Machines Company?

AST SpaceMobile reports the larger workforce, with 613 employees versus 38.

Numbers refresh on every render against the live Space Index database. Federal contract data from USAspending.gov; launches from LaunchLibrary2.