Space

Who owns our orbit: Just how many satellites are there in space?

There are nearly 6,000 satellites circling the Earth, but only 40% are operational. Image: Unsplash/Space X

Therese Wood
Writer, Visual Capitalist
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Space satellites Earth orbit communications observations GPS
Over half of satellites in space are non-operational. Image: Visual Capitalist
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Space satellites rockets 2019 2028
Nearly 10,000 satellites will be launched form 2019-2028. Image: Visual Capitalist
Space satellites communications Earth innovation.
Over 1,000 satellites are for communication purposes. Image: Visual Capitalist
Space satellites commercial government military civil
54% of operational satellites are for commercial use. Image: Visual Capitalist
Space satellites SpaceX Planet Labs Spire Global Iridium
SpaceX owns 22% of the commercial satellites. Image: Visual Capitalist
Space satellites Space X Planet Labs Spire Global
SpaceX currently owns 358 satellites. Image: Visual Capitalist
Space satellites orbit Earth U.S. UK Russia China
China owns 356 operational satellites. Image: Visual Capitalist
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