SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
CesiumAstro logo CesiumAstro Designs, manufactures, and integrates software-defined phased array communications systems, payloads, and satellites for space, airborne, and ground platforms vs Iridium Communications Operates a 66-satellite LEO constellation providing pole-to-pole voice, data, IoT, and PNT services via cross-linked L-band satellites Iridium Communications logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
CesiumAstro Iridium Communications
Founded 2017 2000
Headquarters Austin, Texas McLean, Virginia
Type private public
Status operating operating
Employees 318 680
Total funding $710.2M
Latest round Series C
Sectors Satellite Components & Subsystems, Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Navigation & Positioning
Products listed 15 6
Federal contracts 10 ($1.12B)
Launches
Leaders listed Shey Sabripour, Kenneth Smith, Chris Pappas III Matthew J. Desch, Vincent J. O'Neill, Suzanne E. McBride
News mentions 26 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do CesiumAstro and Iridium Communications compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Communications. CesiumAstro was founded in 2017 and Iridium Communications in 2000.

Which is larger, CesiumAstro or Iridium Communications?

Iridium Communications reports the larger workforce, with 680 employees versus 318.

Which has more US federal contracts, CesiumAstro or Iridium Communications?

Iridium Communications has been awarded more, with $1.12B across 10 awards.

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