As of May 2025, there are approximately 12,149 active satellites orbiting Earth, according to the satellite tracking website "Orbiting Now"
. This number has grown rapidly over recent years, with around 10,000 active satellites reported in mid-2024
and about 9,115 active satellites estimated in 2023
. To provide some context on the growth:
- In January 2022, there were about 8,261 satellites in orbit, with roughly 4,852 active at that time
- By mid-2023, the total number of satellites (active and inactive) had reached around 11,330, with about 6,718 operational satellites
The surge in satellite numbers is largely driven by large constellations such as SpaceX's Starlink, which alone operates over 1,600 satellites and aims to expand further
. In summary, the current count of satellites in space is over 12,000 active satellites, with total satellites (including inactive ones) exceeding that figure. This rapid increase reflects ongoing advancements and investments in satellite technology and space infrastructure.
