SPACE INDEX COMPANIES INSIGHTS SECTORS PRODUCTS NEWS BLOG ANSWERS RESEARCH ABOUT FOR COMPANIES BUILD / 2026.06.03
Telesat logo Telesat Operates a global GEO satellite fleet and is building Telesat Lightspeed, an enterprise-class LEO constellation delivering fiber-like broadband with ultra-low latency. 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-HEAD3 shared sectors
Telesat Viasat
Founded 1969 1986
Headquarters Ottawa, Canada Carlsbad, California, USA
Type public public
Status operating operating
Employees 551 7,000
Total funding
Latest round
Sectors Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Space Defense Systems Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Space Defense Systems
Products listed 37 7
Federal contracts 24 ($988.5M)
Launches
Leaders listed Daniel S. Goldberg, Donald Tremblay, Michel Forest Mark Dankberg, Richard Baldridge, Gary Chase
News mentions 0 1
SHARED SECTORS
FREQUENTLY ASKED

How do Telesat and Viasat compare?

Both companies work in Satellite Communications, Ground Segment & Networks, Space Defense Systems. Telesat was founded in 1969 and Viasat in 1986.

Which is larger, Telesat or Viasat?

Viasat reports the larger workforce, with 7,000 employees versus 551.

Which has more US federal contracts, Telesat or Viasat?

Viasat has been awarded more, with $988.5M across 24 awards.

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