SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
European Space Agency logo European Space Agency Intergovernmental agency coordinating European space programs across science, Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, and human spaceflight vs MDA Space Designs and manufactures satellite systems, orbital robotics, and geointelligence platforms for government, defense, and commercial space operators worldwide MDA Space logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
European Space Agency MDA Space
Founded 1975 1969
Headquarters Paris, France Brampton, Canada
Type government public
Status operating operating
Employees 3,739 3,802
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Planetary Exploration, Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, Launch Services, Navigation & Positioning, Satellite Communications Satellite Manufacturing, Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, In-Orbit Servicing & Assembly
Products listed 8 6
Federal contracts
Launches
Leaders listed Josef Aschbacher, Dietmar Pilz, Toni Tolker-Nielsen Mike Greenley, Guillaume Lavoie, Cameron Ower
News mentions 14 1
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do European Space Agency and MDA Space compare?

Both companies work in Earth Observation & Remote Sensing. European Space Agency was founded in 1975 and MDA Space in 1969.

Which is larger, European Space Agency or MDA Space?

MDA Space reports the larger workforce, with 3,802 employees versus 3,739.

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