How many satellites could fit in Earth orbit? And how many do we really need?

How many satellites could fit in Earth orbit? And how many do we really need?

The number of satellites orbiting Earth is rising fast, thanks to private companies such as SpaceX. But just how big will these "megaconstellations" become? And what problems might they cause?

We Sent the Satellites Up… But We Forgot They Might Come Down

Thousands of satellites are currently orbiting Earth, and most of them are destined to return. As the number of satellites launched into low Earth orbit (LEO) continues to rise, what happens when these machines reach the end of their lifespan? The answer is becoming increasingly visible. Starlink’s Growing Legacy — And Its Physical Remains In 2024, residents of Saskatchewan, Canada, faced a startling situation. Chunks of debris from SpaceX satel…