Compare Companies
| Field | 🇺🇸 AST SpaceMobileNASDAQ: ASTS | 🇺🇸 Iridium CommunicationsNASDAQ: IRDM | 🇺🇸 Planet LabsNYSE: PL | 🇺🇸 Rocket LabNASDAQ: RKLB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | public | public | public | public |
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇺🇸 United States | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Founded | 2017 | 2001 | 2010 | 2006 |
| CEO | Abel Avellan | Matt Desch | Will Marshall | Peter Beck |
| Mkt Cap / Valuation | ~$22B | ~$3.0B | ~$12.8B | ~$9.5B |
| Employees | ~1,800+ | ~975 | ~970 | ~2,600+ |
| Sector | Direct-to-Cell Satellite Broadband | Satellite Communications | Earth Observation & Geospatial Analytics | Launch & Space Systems |
| Last raise / Last filing | 10-K filed | 10-K filed | 10-K filed | 10-K filed |
| Top risks | Capital intensity: AST has incurred ~$1.6B in capitalized property and equipment to date; the Block 2 campaign requires continued massive spend; FY2025 net loss was $341.9M despite initial revenues.; Technology and deployment risk: large-aperture satellite manufacturing at scale is unproven; any delays to the 60-satellite Block 2 campaign would push back commercial coverage and revenue milestones. | Starlink Direct and Apple/Globalstar D2D competition — could pressure consumer-adjacent revenue if Iridium does not secure smartphone-OEM partnerships.; DoD EMSS contract renewal pricing risk — government cost optimization could compress unit economics on the largest single customer contract. | GAAP profitability: Planet achieved adjusted EBITDA profitability in FY2026 but remains GAAP net-loss negative; achieving GAAP positive is the key institutional re-rating threshold.; Defense contract concentration: NRO/NGA contracts drive growing revenue but expose Planet to U.S. government budget cycles, classification decisions, and competitive rebidding. | Neutron development risk: a Q3 2025 stage-1 tank test failure caused schedule slip; any further major setbacks to a Q4 2026 debut could erode investor confidence and require additional capital.; Customer concentration: SDA and U.S. defense represent the majority of backlog; any budget sequestration or program changes in DoD space spending would materially impact near-term revenue visibility. |
| Next catalyst | Block 2 satellite deployment — target 45–60 operational satellites by end 2026 (2026-Q4) | Closure of new DoD EMSS unlimited-use contract renewal (2026-H1) | Second-generation 30 cm Pelican satellites launch and first imagery delivery (2026-Q4) | Neutron first launch — Q4 2026 (2026-Q4) |
Maximum 4 companies. Pass slugs in the ids query parameter, comma-separated. Try SpaceX vs Blue Origin vs Rocket Lab vs Firefly.