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 SpaceX SpaceX logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD2 shared sectors
AST SpaceMobile SpaceX
Founded 2017 2002
Headquarters Midland, Texas Hawthorne, California
Type public private
Status operating operating
Employees 613 10,493
Total funding $1.3B
Latest round Secondary
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Satellite Manufacturing Launch Services, Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 5 9
Federal contracts 20 ($4.90B)
Launches 810 (83%)
Leaders listed Abel Avellan, Scott Wisniewski, Andrew Johnson Elon Musk, Gwynne Shotwell, Bret Johnsen
News mentions 1 28
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do AST SpaceMobile and SpaceX compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing. AST SpaceMobile was founded in 2017 and SpaceX in 2002.

Which is larger, AST SpaceMobile or SpaceX?

SpaceX reports the larger workforce, with 10,493 employees versus 613.

Which has more US federal contracts, AST SpaceMobile or SpaceX?

SpaceX has been awarded more, with $4.90B across 20 awards.

Which has more launches, AST SpaceMobile or SpaceX?

SpaceX leads with 810 tracked launches (83% success rate).

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