Iridium vs Viasat: Communications constellations compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

Iridium ranks 24 on the Space 100 with a score of 80; Viasat ranks 49 with 74. Iridium is ahead on progress, positioning and leverage. Viasat is ahead on commercials. Level on deployment, production, technology and firepower. Iridium is based in McLean, United States, Viasat in Carlsbad, United States. Iridium: Subsidiary. Viasat: Established. Iridium is named in 23 signals and Viasat in 38.

Iridium →

McLean, Virginia, United States · Space · Satellites & spacecraft / Communications constellations · Subsidiary · iridium.com

Iridium operates a global satellite network providing voice, IoT, maritime safety, tracking, and satellite-to-device connectivity services to commercial, enterprise, and government customers.

Space 100 · rank 24 · score 80

Scores, Space (of 10)

Deployment10
Production6
Commercials9
Progress10
Technology6
Positioning8
Firepower8
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Iridium is a US satellite operator (Nasdaq:IRDM) running a 66-satellite operational L-band constellation with decades of continuous global service (voice, data, IoT, PNT) and FY25 revenue of ~$830M (75% recurring service). It is being acquired by Rocket Lab in a ~$8B pending deal, the largest space-sector M&A of the cycle, creating a vertically integrated space platform projected at ~$1.8B 2026 revenue near break-even. PNT (GPS-alternative timing) is its growth segment.

Latest signals

  • Altair Semiconductor is integrating Iridium NTN Direct into its cellular IoT chipsets.Electronics Weekly
  • Rocket Lab CFO predicts increased M&A activity in the space industryPayload
  • Iridium and SKYWAVE partnered to advance satellite IoT for heavy-equipment manufacturers.Iridium

23 signals name Iridium.

Facts, with sources

  • Introduced the SOLION-100 terminal combining maritime safety and tracking functionsIridium
  • Iridium, Deutsche Telekom IoT, and Toyota demonstrated voice messaging over satellite using Iridium NTN DirectIridium
  • Iridium and SKYWAVE partnered to advance satellite IoT for heavy-equipment manufacturersIridium

35 facts on file.

Viasat →

Carlsbad, California, United States · Space · Satellites & spacecraft / Communications constellations · Established · viasat.com

Viasat operates satellite communications networks, including ViaSat-3, and sells broadband, in-flight, maritime, government and direct-to-device connectivity services.

Space 100 · rank 49 · score 74

Scores, Space (of 10)

Deployment10
Production6
Commercials10
Progress9
Technology6
Positioning6
Firepower8
Leverage6

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Viasat is a US satellite-communications company (FY26 record revenue of $4.64B, +2.7%; awards $4.9B) with all three ViaSat-3 satellites launched, though its F1 flagship operates at under 10% of design capacity after an antenna anomaly. It has 4,450 commercial aircraft in-flight-connectivity systems in service (+10%, a 1,000-aircraft backlog) and 1,315 NexusWave vessels, though its maritime business did not turn the corner per the CFO. Its forward story is the Equatys D2D shared-spectrum venture with Space42 (up to 2,800 satellites, Viasat as initial technology prime).

Latest signals

  • SES selected Lyntris as payload integrator for its PTS-G satellite work.Via Satellite
  • Viasat ordered multiple ALL.SPACE Hydra MAX terminals for resilient multi-orbit satellite communications.Satellite Evolution
  • Viasat awarded $42 million task order for Marine Corps managed satcom servicesVia Satellite

38 signals name Viasat.

Facts, with sources

  • Space Compass SC-A commercial optical data relay mission planned for completionSpaceNews
  • Inmarsat-8 L-band safety communications and SBAS navigation mission planned for completionSpaceNews
  • Sixth HummingSat order; platform scheduled for on-orbit debut on the Intelsat 45 missionSpaceNews

60 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

Iridium or Viasat: which is ahead in space?

Iridium ranks 24 on the Space 100 with a score of 80; Viasat ranks 49 with 74. Iridium is ahead on progress, positioning and leverage. Viasat is ahead on commercials. Level on deployment, production, technology and firepower. Iridium is based in McLean, United States, Viasat in Carlsbad, United States. Iridium: Subsidiary. Viasat: Established. Iridium is named in 23 signals and Viasat in 38.

How do Iridium and Viasat compare?

Iridium ranks 24 on the Space 100 with a score of 80; Viasat ranks 49 with 74. Iridium is ahead on progress, positioning and leverage. Viasat is ahead on commercials. Level on deployment, production, technology and firepower. Iridium is based in McLean, United States, Viasat in Carlsbad, United States. Iridium: Subsidiary. Viasat: Established. Iridium is named in 23 signals and Viasat in 38. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

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