Life in Numbers · Orbit
From Sputnik to a crowded sky
A hundred-year view of objects launched into space, today's orbit and a transparent what-if for the next decade.
16,000functioning satellites
01 · 1926—2025
One hundred years of launches
The chart counts registered objects launched into outer space, not only active satellites. The first 31 years are deliberately empty: the space age began in 1957.
19261957198020002025
Year2025Objects launched4,510
02 · Decade
The acceleration by decade
Hover a bar for an individual year or compare complete decades in the table.
03 · 2026—2035
What if the 2025 launch rate continued?
Choose a simple rate scenario. This is arithmetic for scale—not a forecast of launches, failures or re-entry.
04 · What these numbers mean
What these numbers mean
A launched object may later re-enter, stop working or fragment. That is why total launched, still in orbit, functioning satellites and tracked objects are different figures.
Sources and limits
Historical launches: Our World in Data, adapted from UNOOSA registrations (estimated coverage about 88%).
Our World in Data ↗Current environment: ESA DISCOS statistics, rounded figures updated 31 July 2026.
ESA DISCOS ↗