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 Planet Labs PBC Planet Labs PBC logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
European Space Agency Planet Labs PBC
Founded 1975 2010
Headquarters Paris, France San Francisco, California
Type government public
Status operating operating
Employees 3,739 741
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Planetary Exploration, Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, Launch Services, Navigation & Positioning, Satellite Communications Earth Observation & Remote Sensing, Geospatial Intelligence & Analytics, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 8 11
Federal contracts 3 ($20.7M)
Launches
Leaders listed Josef Aschbacher, Dietmar Pilz, Toni Tolker-Nielsen Will Marshall, Robbie Schingler, Ashley Fieglein Johnson
News mentions 14 1
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do European Space Agency and Planet Labs PBC compare?

Both companies work in Earth Observation & Remote Sensing. European Space Agency was founded in 1975 and Planet Labs PBC in 2010.

Which is larger, European Space Agency or Planet Labs PBC?

European Space Agency reports the larger workforce, with 3,739 employees versus 741.

Which has more US federal contracts, European Space Agency or Planet Labs PBC?

Planet Labs PBC has been awarded more, with $20.7M across 3 awards.

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