According to an online catalog, there were around 26,700 satellites orbiting the earth at the start of 2023, an increase of around 6.8 percent on the previous year. Almost 55,000 satellites have been cataloged in total, with the first, Sputnik 1, having launched in October 1957.
Number of cataloged, decayed, and on orbit satellite objects worldwide from 1958 to 2023
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
CelesTrak. (January 1, 2023). Number of cataloged, decayed, and on orbit satellite objects worldwide from 1958 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 12, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422809/number-of-satellites-cataloged-decayed-orbit/
CelesTrak. "Number of cataloged, decayed, and on orbit satellite objects worldwide from 1958 to 2023." Chart. January 1, 2023. Statista. Accessed October 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422809/number-of-satellites-cataloged-decayed-orbit/
CelesTrak. (2023). Number of cataloged, decayed, and on orbit satellite objects worldwide from 1958 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422809/number-of-satellites-cataloged-decayed-orbit/
CelesTrak. "Number of Cataloged, Decayed, and on Orbit Satellite Objects Worldwide from 1958 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jan 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422809/number-of-satellites-cataloged-decayed-orbit/
CelesTrak, Number of cataloged, decayed, and on orbit satellite objects worldwide from 1958 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422809/number-of-satellites-cataloged-decayed-orbit/ (last visited October 12, 2024)
Number of cataloged, decayed, and on orbit satellite objects worldwide from 1958 to 2023 [Graph], CelesTrak, January 1, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1422809/number-of-satellites-cataloged-decayed-orbit/
