🛰️ Real-Time Satellite Counter
See how many satellites are orbiting above your location right now
A Crowded Sky Above Your Head
At any given moment, thousands of active satellites orbit Earth, forming an invisible infrastructure that powers our modern world. From Starlink internet constellation with over 5,000 satellites to GPS navigation, weather monitoring, military reconnaissance, and scientific observation—these technological sentinels continuously circle our planet every 90 to 1,440 minutes depending on their altitude.
Our Real-Time Satellite Counter uses data from Space-Track.org and N2YO to show you exactly how many satellites are currently overhead at your location. Enter your coordinates or allow location access, and watch as the counter updates in real-time, displaying active satellites within a specified radius above you—typically 20-30 satellites visible from any point on Earth at once!
The satellite population has exploded recently, with companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper launching mega-constellations. As of 2024, over 9,000 active satellites orbit Earth, up from just 2,000 in 2019. Discover this hidden layer of technology and track everything from the International Space Station to tiny CubeSats!
🛰️ Satellite Stats
- Active Satellites: ~9,000+ orbiting
- Total Objects: 35,000+ tracked items
- Starlink Fleet: 5,000+ (growing)
- Typical Overhead: 20-30 at any moment
- LEO Altitude: 180-2,000 km
- GPS Satellites: 31 (MEO, 20,200 km)
- Geostationary: 35,786 km altitude
- Daily Launches: ~3 per week (2024)
Count Satellites Above You
Satellite Counter
Discover how many satellites are orbiting above you right now
Over 9,000 active satellites orbit Earth, from internet constellations like Starlink to GPS satellites, weather monitors, and spy satellites. This tool calculates how many are currently above your location based on their orbital paths and your position on Earth!
📍 Your Location
Or enter manually:
🛰️ Satellites Above You Right Now
Sky map showing satellites above your location
Updated based on your location and current orbital positions
📊 Satellites by Type
Breakdown of what's orbiting above you
🌍 Orbital Shells Around Earth
Not to scale - showing relative orbital altitudes
📈 Global Satellite Statistics
🔧 How Satellites Stay Up
Orbital Mechanics 101
Satellites don't stay up - they're constantly falling! But they're also moving sideways so fast that they keep missing Earth. At orbital velocity (~28,000 km/h in LEO), the curve of their fall matches Earth's curvature. They're in perpetual free fall, which is why astronauts feel weightless.
Different Orbits, Different Speeds
Lower satellites orbit faster! ISS at 408 km completes an orbit in 90 minutes. GPS at 20,200 km takes 12 hours. Geostationary at 35,786 km takes exactly 24 hours. This follows Kepler's laws - orbital period increases with altitude. Physics is beautiful!
Precision Station Keeping
Satellites must maintain exact orbits. Even tiny atmospheric drag at low altitudes requires periodic boosts. GPS satellites must stay within 1 km of their designated position. GEO satellites use thrusters to stay above the same spot on Earth. It's like balancing on a knife edge!
Line of Sight Communication
Ground stations can only communicate when satellites are above horizon. LEO satellites zip overhead in minutes, requiring networks of ground stations. GEO satellites stay visible 24/7 (if you're in their coverage zone). This is why satellite dishes point to specific spots in the sky.
Shielding and Hardening
Space is harsh! Satellites face extreme temperature swings (-150°C to +150°C), intense radiation, micrometeorite impacts, and atomic oxygen erosion. They need radiation-hardened electronics, thermal management, and Whipple shields. Most satellites last 5-15 years before failing.
Death and Disposal
Dead satellites become dangerous space junk. LEO satellites (below 600 km) naturally deorbit in years-decades due to drag. Higher satellites last centuries. New satellites must either deorbit at end-of-life or boost to "graveyard orbits" above GEO. Space sustainability is critical!
🌠 Amazing Satellite Facts
Over 9,000 Active Satellites Right Now
As of 2024, there are approximately 9,000 active satellites orbiting Earth - up from just 1,000 in 2014! SpaceX's Starlink alone accounts for over 5,400 of them. We're adding 100+ new satellites every month. By 2030, there could be 50,000+ satellites overhead.
Most Satellites Are Invisible
Only about 500 satellites are bright enough to see with naked eye, and only at dawn/dusk when they're illuminated by sun while you're in darkness. Most satellites are too small, too high, or too dark. Starlink satellites briefly flare after launch, causing "satellite trains" visible to the naked eye.
100 Million Pieces of Space Debris
For every active satellite, there are 100+ pieces of tracked space junk - dead satellites, rocket stages, paint chips, debris from collisions. Over 34,000 objects >10cm are tracked. Millions of smaller pieces can't be tracked but are dangerous. Kessler Syndrome (cascade of collisions) is a real threat.
Satellites Cross Your Sky Every Few Minutes
At any given moment, 5-20 satellites are visible above your horizon (above 10° elevation). Every few minutes, a new one rises while another sets. During dawn/dusk "golden hour," you can see 5-10 moving "stars" if you watch carefully. Starlink makes this even more frequent.
Your Phone Uses 10+ Satellites at Once
GPS requires signals from 4+ satellites to triangulate position, but your phone connects to 8-12 simultaneously for accuracy. It uses GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China) - over 130 navigation satellites total. All this happens invisibly in your pocket!
GEO Satellites Stay Above One Spot
At exactly 35,786 km altitude, orbital period matches Earth's rotation (24 hours). These geostationary satellites appear motionless in the sky - perfect for TV dishes and communications. There are ~550 satellites in this orbital "ring" around the equator. It's getting crowded!
Satellite Orbits Are Mathematical Perfection
Each satellite follows Kepler's laws with incredible precision. GPS satellites orbit at exactly 20,200 km to complete 2 orbits per day. Starlink orbits at 550 km for ~95 minute periods. A 1 km altitude change would shift crossing times. The math must be perfect or systems fail.
Spy Satellites Can Read License Plates
Modern reconnaissance satellites achieve 10cm resolution - enough to see cars, people, and yes, license plates (under ideal conditions). They use massive mirrors and advanced optics. The US operates 100+ classified military satellites. Exact capabilities are secret, but they're watching everything.
🏆 Famous & Historic Satellites
Sputnik 1
First artificial satellite. Started Space Age and shocked the world.
Hubble Space Telescope
Revolutionary space telescope that transformed astronomy.
ISS
Largest human-made structure in space. Continuously occupied since 2000.
GPS Block I
First GPS satellites launched. Now 31 satellites provide global navigation.
Iridium NEXT
75-satellite constellation for global satellite phone coverage.
Starlink
SpaceX mega-constellation. 5,400+ satellites provide global internet.
James Webb Space Telescope
Most powerful space telescope. Located at L2 point (1.5M km away).
Tiangong Space Station
Chinese space station. Operational since 2022.
👁️ How to See Satellites
Best Time to Watch
Golden Hour: 30-90 minutes after sunset or before sunrise. The satellite is illuminated by sun while you're in darkness. This is when satellites are brightest!
Dark Skies: Get away from city lights if possible. New Moon nights are best.
What to Look For
Moving "Stars": Satellites look like stars moving steadily across the sky. They don't blink like airplanes.
Speed: Cross from horizon to horizon in 1-5 minutes. Faster than planets, slower than meteors.
Brightness: Range from barely visible to brighter than brightest stars.
ISS Passes
Brightest Object: ISS is brighter than Venus! Unmistakable when it passes.
Predictable: Visible passes occur every few days. Takes 3-4 minutes to cross the sky.
Track It: Use apps like ISS Detector or NASA's Spot The Station.
Starlink Trains
Spectacular Show: Newly launched Starlink satellites stay in a tight line for weeks.
"String of Pearls": 40-60 satellites following each other, visible to naked eye.
Controversial: They then spread out and dim. Astronomers concerned about light pollution.
Iridium Flares (Historical)
Brief Flashes: Old Iridium satellites had reflective antennas causing brilliant flares.
Now Rare: Original constellation deorbited 2017-2019. New generation doesn't flare.
Legendary: Could reach magnitude -8 (brighter than everything except Moon/Sun)!
Tools & Apps
Heavens-Above: Comprehensive satellite predictions for your location
ISS Detector: Notifications for ISS and bright satellite passes
SkySafari: Real-time satellite positions overlaid on sky map
N2YO: Live satellite tracking for thousands of satellites
🗑️ The Space Debris Crisis
⚠️ Kessler Syndrome Threat
In 1978, NASA scientist Donald Kessler predicted that if space debris density reaches a critical threshold, collisions will create more debris, triggering a cascade. Each collision creates thousands of new fragments, which cause more collisions. Eventually, certain orbital shells become unusable.
We're approaching this threshold in LEO. The 2009 Iridium-Cosmos collision created 2,300+ tracked fragments. China's 2007 anti-satellite test created 3,500+ fragments. Without intervention, Kessler Syndrome could make space access extremely difficult.
🛡️ Collision Avoidance
Satellites perform ~1,000 collision avoidance maneuvers per year. Space Force tracks objects and alerts operators. ISS has moved dozens of times to avoid debris. This is routine but resource-intensive.
🎯 Active Debris Removal
Missions to capture and deorbit dead satellites: ClearSpace-1 (2026), ELSA-d, RemoveDEBRIS. Technologies include nets, harpoons, robotic arms, and "tug boats." Expensive but necessary.
📜 International Guidelines
UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines require end-of-life disposal: deorbit within 25 years or move to graveyard orbit. But compliance is voluntary. Need stronger enforcement.
⚡ Laser Broom Concept
Ground-based lasers could ablate small debris, creating thrust to push them toward reentry. Controversial (looks like weapon), but could clear small debris cost-effectively. Still theoretical.
🔮 Future Satellite Trends
Mega-Constellations
Current: Starlink ~5,400, OneWeb ~600, Amazon Kuiper planning 3,200+
Future: 50,000+ internet satellites by 2030. Multiple competing networks. Global broadband coverage.
Concerns: Space congestion, light pollution for astronomy, debris risk
AI-Powered Satellites
Trend: Onboard AI for autonomous operations, collision avoidance, data processing
Benefits: Process data in orbit, reducing downlink needs. Self-diagnosing systems.
Example: PhiSat-1 uses AI to identify clouds, only downlinking useful images
In-Orbit Manufacturing
Vision: Build satellites in orbit using materials from asteroids or Moon
Advantages: No launch mass limits, optimized for space environment
Timeline: Experimental missions starting 2025-2030, commercial 2040+
Nuclear-Powered Satellites
Technology: RTGs (radioisotope thermoelectric generators) and small reactors
Benefits: Decades of power, high power output, works anywhere
Uses: Deep space probes, powerful radars, laser communication
Satellite Swarms
Concept: Hundreds of tiny satellites working together as distributed system
Advantages: Redundancy, adaptability, lower cost per mission
Applications: Earth observation, space weather monitoring, communication networks
Cislunar Economy
Emerging: Satellites operating between Earth and Moon
Applications: Lunar communications, navigation, logistics support
Timeline: First cislunar sats launching 2024-2026 for Artemis program
How to Track Satellites Overhead
1️⃣ Set Your Location
Allow location access for automatic positioning, or manually enter your latitude/longitude coordinates. The counter uses your location as the center point to calculate which satellites are currently within viewing range above you.
2️⃣ Choose Detection Radius
Select your viewing cone: directly overhead (10°), visible sky (60°), or entire hemisphere (90°). Wider angles capture more satellites but include those near the horizon. Filter by altitude: LEO (low Earth orbit), MEO (medium), or GEO (geostationary).
3️⃣ Watch Real-Time Count
See the live satellite count update every few seconds as satellites move through your observation cone. Click individual satellites to see details: name, altitude, speed, orbit type, launch date, and country of origin. Track specific ones like ISS or Starlink!
Why Track Satellites?
📡 Understand Modern Infrastructure
Satellites enable GPS navigation, weather forecasting, internet connectivity, and global communications. Use our ISS tracker to spot specific satellites, or explore orbital mechanics to understand their motion.
🗑️ Monitor Space Debris
With increasing launches comes orbital crowding and collision risks. Track debris with our space junk tracker, understand impacts with the Kessler syndrome simulator, and explore solutions.
🔭 Astrophotography Planning
Avoid satellite trails in long-exposure astrophotos by knowing when they’ll cross your frame. Use with our telescope simulator, light pollution mapper, and stargazing planner.
🎓 Educational Insights
Learn about satellite types, orbits, and purposes. Compare orbital periods using our orbital period calculator, study gravitational effects, and visualize space scales.
Satellite Orbits Explained
🌍 Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
180-2,000 km altitude, orbital period 90-120 minutes. LEO hosts most satellites including ISS (408 km), Starlink (550 km), Earth observation, and spy satellites. These orbit fastest due to stronger gravity at lower altitudes. At any moment, you typically have 20-30 LEO satellites overhead, though most are too small/dim to see without telescopes.
🛰️ Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
2,000-35,786 km, orbital period 2-24 hours. GPS satellites orbit at 20,200 km (12-hour period), ensuring 4+ are always visible for triangulation. MEO balances coverage area with lower latency than GEO. The GPS constellation has 31 active satellites providing global positioning to billions of devices. Other navigation systems (GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) also use MEO.
🌐 Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
Exactly 35,786 km above equator, 24-hour period matching Earth’s rotation. GEO satellites appear stationary in the sky—perfect for TV broadcast, weather monitoring (GOES, Meteosat), and communications. This orbit is so valuable that “slots” are internationally regulated. About 560 active GEO satellites occupy this ring, each serving a fixed region of Earth below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many satellites are currently in orbit?
As of 2024, approximately 9,000 active satellites orbit Earth, up dramatically from 2,000 in 2019. This explosion is largely due to mega-constellations like Starlink (5,000+ satellites). Additionally, ~35,000 pieces of tracked debris orbit Earth—dead satellites, rocket stages, and collision fragments larger than 10 cm. Smaller debris (millions of pieces under 1 cm) poses constant collision threats.
Can I see satellites with my naked eye?
Yes! The ISS is the brightest (-5 magnitude), easily visible as a fast-moving “star” taking 3-5 minutes to cross the sky. Starlink satellites appear as “trains” of lights shortly after launch before dispersing. Iridium flares (now rare) could briefly outshine Venus. Best viewing is shortly after sunset or before sunrise when satellites are sunlit against your dark sky. Typical satellites appear magnitude +1 to +4.
Why do satellite numbers keep increasing?
Several factors: SpaceX’s reusable rockets drastically reduced launch costs ($1,500/kg vs $65,000/kg previously), enabling mega-constellations for global internet. Miniaturization allows CubeSats (10×10×10 cm) costing $100k vs $500M for traditional satellites. Commercial space companies (Planet Labs, Spire) deploy large fleets for Earth imaging and data collection. This trend will accelerate—OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper, and Chinese constellations plan 10,000+ more satellites!
Do satellites ever collide?
Yes, though rarely. The 2009 Iridium-Cosmos collision destroyed both satellites, creating 2,300 debris pieces. In 2021, a Chinese satellite was hit by debris from a 1996 Russian rocket. As satellite density increases, collision risk grows—the “Kessler Syndrome” scenario where cascading collisions create an impassable debris field. Satellites now perform frequent avoidance maneuvers; Starlink alone makes ~25,000 collision avoidance moves per year!
Related Space Tools
🛰️ ISS Tracker
Track the International Space Station and see it pass overhead
🗑️ Space Junk Tracker
Monitor orbital debris and collision risks
🌀 Orbital Speed Calculator
Calculate speeds needed to maintain different orbital altitudes
💥 Kessler Syndrome Simulator
Model cascading satellite collision scenarios
🔭 Telescope Simulator
Plan observations and avoid satellite trails in astrophotos
⏰ Orbital Period Calculator
Calculate how long satellites take to complete one orbit