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 Viasat Operates a global multi-orbit satellite network providing broadband, narrowband, and secure communications for commercial aviation, maritime, enterprise, and defense markets Viasat logo
HEAD-TO-HEAD2 shared sectors
Iridium Communications Viasat
Founded 2000 1986
Headquarters McLean, Virginia Carlsbad, California
Type public public
Status operating operating
Employees 680 7,000
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Navigation & Positioning Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Space Defense Systems
Products listed 6 7
Federal contracts 10 ($1.12B) 24 ($988.5M)
Launches
Leaders listed Matthew J. Desch, Vincent J. O'Neill, Suzanne E. McBride Mark Dankberg, Richard Baldridge, Gary Chase
News mentions 0 1
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Iridium Communications and Viasat compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks. Iridium Communications was founded in 2000 and Viasat in 1986.

Which is larger, Iridium Communications or Viasat?

Viasat reports the larger workforce, with 7,000 employees versus 680.

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

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.