SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.03
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 Viasat Operates a global multi-orbit satellite network providing broadband, narrowband, and secure communications for commercial aviation, maritime, enterprise, and defense markets. Viasat logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD2 shared sectors
AST SpaceMobile Viasat
Founded 2017 1986
Headquarters Midland, Texas, USA Carlsbad, California, USA
Type public public
Status operating operating
Employees 613 7,000
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Satellite Manufacturing Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Space Defense Systems
Products listed 5 7
Federal contracts 24 ($988.5M)
Launches
Leaders listed Abel Avellan, Scott Wisniewski, Andrew Johnson Mark Dankberg, Richard Baldridge, Gary Chase
News mentions 1 1
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do AST SpaceMobile and Viasat compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks. AST SpaceMobile was founded in 2017 and Viasat in 1986.

Which is larger, AST SpaceMobile or Viasat?

Viasat reports the larger workforce, with 7,000 employees versus 613.

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

Viasat has been awarded more, with $988.5M across 24 awards.

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