Half of all active satellites are now from SpaceX. Here's why that may be a problem
![Half of all active satellites are now from SpaceX. Here's why that may be a problem](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/030223_lg_starlink_feat.jpg?fit=1440%2C810&ssl=1)
Of the roughly 7,300 active satellites in Earth orbit, about 3,600 are part of SpaceX’s growing fleet of Starlink internet satellites.
![](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt3d4d54955bda84c0/blt646855207f73f6ba/65564733e1294a040a2354da/satellite.jpg?width=850&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale)
Satellite industry's self regulation pledge has a SpaceX-sized
![](https://wp.technologyreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/52649629173_97af3c970b_crop.jpeg)
is about to go head to head with SpaceX in a battle for
![](https://wp.technologyreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/satellite-1820064-2.jpg)
Here's how just four satellites could provide worldwide internet
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Russia just blew up a satellite—here's why that spells trouble for
![](https://earthsky.org/upl/2021/05/SPACEX-STARLINK-SATELLITES-CONSTELLATION.jpeg)
EarthSky Starlink satellites can look like a plume or train of light
![](https://observer-media.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/09/aeolus_fairing_opening.jpg?quality=80&w=970)
SpaceX Starlink-Aeolus Near Collision Highlights Satellite
![](https://media.wired.com/photos/6155e498ded996c7f66684bb/master/pass/Science_starlink_210504-F-KD758-851.jpg)
As SpaceX's Starlink Ramps Up, So Could Light Pollution
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SpaceX satellites falling out of orbit after solar storm
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Starlink: SpaceX's satellite internet system
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Satellite Constellations Could Harm the Environment, New Watchdog
![](https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/9477A0E3-F23F-4B7B-A4042820C801875C_source.jpg?w=600)
Unsustainable': How Satellite Swarms Pose a Rising Threat to
![](https://www.astronomy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/SpaceXStarlinklaunch.jpg?w=600&resize=600%2C338)
How do spaceX's Starlink satellites actually work?
![](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2023/10/Illustration-of-satellite-being-hit-by-space-junk.jpg?w=1029&webp=1)
Space junk could soon spark a chain of catastrophic collisions
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PHOTOS: Why you could see SpaceX satellites Friday night