The number of satellites in low Earth orbit is growing rapidly, driven by private satellite mega-constellations such as SpaceX's Starlink network. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Not long ago, at the dawn of the space age, there were only a few artificial satellites orbiting our planet. But now, some 70 years later, there are thousands of spacecraft orbiting the Earth, with more awaiting launch almost every day.
But how many satellites are currently orbiting the Earth? How many of them could potentially join the existing ones? And what complications might arise once they are all in orbit?
Over the years, the number of satellites launched into space has remained relatively stable. Since the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, in 1957, between 50 and 100 satellites have been launched into space each year. This trend continued until the 2010s, when the emergence of private space companies like SpaceX led to a surge in launches that continues to grow rapidly. In 2024, rockets were launched on average every 34 hours, putting more than 2,800 satellites into orbit.
You may like
Sourse: www.livescience.com
