As of May 2025, over 11,700 active satellites are orbiting the planet
Experts predict that the number of active satellites could climb to 100,000
Experts argue for slowing down satellite launches
Ever wondered how many satellites are circling Earth right now? As of May 2025, over 11,700 active satellites are orbiting the planet, and the number is rising at a record pace.
The dramatic surge is driven largely by private space firms like SpaceX, whose Starlink constellation alone accounts for over 7,400 satellites, or 60% of all active ones. In 2024, a rocket was launched every 34 hours on average, adding more than 2,800 new satellites to orbit in just one year, Live Science reported.
According to astronomers and researchers, this satellite boom is just getting started. Experts predict that the number of active satellites could climb to 100,000 before stabilising, raising serious concerns about space traffic, debris, pollution, and interference with astronomy.
What’s Causing the Satellite Surge?
The rise of commercial ‘mega constellations’, massive networks of satellites designed to provide global internet and communication services, is a key factor. Besides SpaceX’s Starlink, other players like Amazon (Project Kuiper), OneWeb, and Chinese companies are aggressively expanding their presence in space.