October 2025 Key Facts:
• Six years ago, fewer than 2,000 satellites were in service.
• +23% increase in active satellites over the past 12 months.
• Starlink’s 8,366 satellites (Elon Musk) account for 64% of all active satellites worldwide, up 31% in a year.
• China now counts 1,102 active satellites, a 25% rise in one year.
• The European Eutelsat OneWeb constellation numbers 651 satellites in orbit.
Based on data collected and processed by its SYNAPSE digital platform, Look Up, a company specialized in space situational awareness and deploying a global network of space-traffic surveillance radars, presents, in partnership with the weekly magazine Le Point, the first publicly released large-scale figures on orbital traffic.
With the continuous growth in launches and active satellites, the deployment of mega-constellations, the evolving balance of power among spacefaring nations, and rising geopolitical tensions, the Look Up × Le Point Space Barometer highlights the major trends shaping orbital activity today.
“Space has never been as crowded and contested as it is today. Earth orbits have become a strategic domain where orbital traffic reflects the technological race, economic competition, and geopolitical, sometimes even military, power struggles. With our Look Up × Le Point Barometer, we aim to reveal the data behind these dynamics and showcase tangible examples of the new race for space,” said Michel Friedling, Co-founder and CEO of Look Up.
Earth orbits becoming increasingly crowded
As of October 1, 2025, there are 15,965 satellites catalogued around Earth, including 13,026 active satellites, a 23% year-on-year increase (+2,477 net new satellites, i.e., launches minus deorbiting).
This surge illustrates the accelerating deployment of commercial constellations delivering telecommunications and Earth-observation services.
It continues a long-term trend: just six years ago, fewer than 2,000 satellites were operational.
United States Leads; China rapidly gaining ground
The country breakdown shows a clear U.S. dominance with 9,641 active satellites, nearly three-quarters of the total, driven primarily by SpaceX’s Starlink mega-constellation with 8,366 satellites, +1,963 in 2024 alone.
China is catching up with 1,102 active satellites (+25% in a year), notably deploying Starlink-like constellations such as QianFan (90 sats) and GuoWang (57 sats).
Europe ranks third, mainly with Eutelsat OneWeb’s 651 satellites, but lags far behind in terms of new launches.
Deorbiting on the rise, but debris still abundant
At the same time, 2,165 space objects (including 1,182 satellites and 109 rocket bodies) have been deorbited over the past twelve months.
However, these efforts have not curbed overall orbital population growth: there are now 31,019 catalogued objects, including 12,833 debris over 10 cm.
It should be noted that European sensors are insufficient in terms of quality, quantity, and distribution across the globe to detect and catalog all objects in Earth orbit and, as a result, there is a very high dependence on American data.
Look Up × Le Point Space Barometer #1 by the Numbers
General Figures as of Oct 1, 2025
Total satellites in orbit: 15,965
Active satellites: 13,026
12-month growth: +23% (+2,477 satellites)
Total catalogued orbital objects (satellites, rocket bodies, debris > 10 cm): 31,019, including 12,833 debris
Launches & De-Orbitations
Satellites launched in the past 12 months: 3,664
Objects de-orbited: 2,165 (incl. 1,182 satellites, 109 rocket bodies)
Breakdown by Country / Constellation
United States: 9,641 active satellites (+2,173 YoY)
incl. 8,366 Starlink
China: 1,102 active satellites (+220 YoY)
incl. QianFan (90), GuoWang (57)
Europe: 651 Eutelsat OneWeb
Other notable constellations: Kuiper (U.S. with 129 satellites)
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