SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.04
Iridium Communications logo Iridium Communications Operates a 66-satellite LEO constellation providing pole-to-pole voice, data, IoT, and PNT services via cross-linked L-band satellites vs SpaceX SpaceX logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
Iridium Communications SpaceX
Founded 2000 2002
Headquarters McLean, Virginia Hawthorne, California
Type public private
Status operating operating
Employees 680 10,493
Total funding $1.3B
Latest round Secondary
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Navigation & Positioning Launch Services, Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing
Products listed 6 9
Federal contracts 10 ($1.12B) 20 ($4.90B)
Launches 810 (83%)
Leaders listed Matthew J. Desch, Vincent J. O'Neill, Suzanne E. McBride Elon Musk, Gwynne Shotwell, Bret Johnsen
News mentions 0 28
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Iridium Communications and SpaceX compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Communications. Iridium Communications was founded in 2000 and SpaceX in 2002.

Which is larger, Iridium Communications or SpaceX?

SpaceX reports the larger workforce, with 10,493 employees versus 680.

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

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

Which has more launches, Iridium Communications 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.