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 Stara Space Operates a constellation of nano-satellites providing secure data relay, storage, and computation as a service for satellite operators Stara Space logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD1 shared sector
Iridium Communications Stara Space
Founded 2000 2018
Headquarters McLean, Virginia Vancouver, California
Type public private
Status operating operating
Employees 680 10
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Navigation & Positioning Satellite Communications, Satellite Manufacturing, Space Transportation & Logistics
Products listed 6 2
Federal contracts 10 ($1.12B)
Launches
Leaders listed Matthew J. Desch, Vincent J. O'Neill, Suzanne E. McBride Tyler J Diaz, Courtney Wright, Ignacio Tzoumas
News mentions 0 0
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Iridium Communications and Stara Space compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Communications. Iridium Communications was founded in 2000 and Stara Space in 2018.

Which is larger, Iridium Communications or Stara Space?

Iridium Communications reports the larger workforce, with 680 employees versus 10.

Which has more US federal contracts, Iridium Communications or Stara Space?

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.