How many and which satellites are in orbit? 34317

Before knowing more about which satellites currently exist in orbit, it is important to know what they represent and what they mean. Satellites are divided into two types: natural and the artificial, the first referring to a celestial body that orbits around a larger body — the Moon in relation to the Earth, for example — while the second is composed of equipment built and launched into space by man to orbit around our planet.  4z4j5g

Here, the satellites in orbit that are artificial will be discussed in more depth. They are the ones who make technologies such as GPS, television and radio signals, internet access, communication and many other essential features for the government and the general public. Another example of the importance of these satellites in orbit is related to the scientific field, once launched, they end up serving as a tool for space observation and consequently bringing new information every day.

On the one hand, this technological advance is great. On the other hand, we know that there is an intense dispute between billionaire companies focused on the technology and science sector to exclusively exploit every possible resource of space in favor of the advancement of the internet. More than half of 4.550 satellites that orbit the Earth are used for communication purposes, and the number is only increasing.

Check the chart below with the main information that will be covered in this matter, including the main space companies, which satellites are in orbit, how many satellites there are, number of Brazilian satellites, among others.

From the analysis of the research team of the DEWESoft — company specialized in data acquisition systems — on the data collected by the bodies UCS Satellite Database, ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) to Space foundation, a list of the 50 owners of most satellites in Earth orbit was created. In case you are curious, in this race, since September 2021, is the company SpaceX which is in the lead with its satellite program Starlink, with 36% of the artificial objects in orbit coming from it, that is, more than a third of the total. 

This domain has a successful name behind it that you may be familiar with: Elon Musk. He owns the company SpaceX and aims to provide high-speed broadband Internet access through its new venture Starlink. In this endeavor, the organization now also offers the transport of satellites from other companies to orbit in their rockets for the price of US$ 1 million (R$ 4.743.148,82 converted into reais), which has opened up opportunities for even more commercial satellites were released.

Which country has the most satellites orbiting the Earth? s1u1x

To no one's surprise, the United States win this . Are 2.804 American satellites in total, for the time being, they make up more than half of the amount of artificial satellites in orbit. In second place comes China with 467; third, the United Kingdom with 349; fourth, Russia with 168, and fifth, Japan with 93 satellites. In that list, Brazil currently occupies the 16th place with 16 satellites in orbit.

What are the four types of orbit around the Earth? x1u2q

There are four types of orbits around the Earth in which satellites are found: low earth orbit (LEO) — low-altitude earth orbit —, medium earth orbit (MEO) — medium-altitude earth orbit —, highly elliptical orbit (HEO) — inclined elliptical orbit —, and geosynchronous orbit (GSO)/geostationary orbit (GEO) — geosynchronous and geostationary earth orbits. 

More than 3.000 satellites are on the low-altitude earth orbit (LEO). It contains satellites that are generally used for communications and remote sensing systems. Like for example, the Starlink do SpaceX, the space telescope Hubble and International Space Station (ISS - International Space Station).

Already geosynchronous/geostationary earth orbit (GSO/GEO) it is the second layer with the most satellites, totaling 565 so far. It is used for telecommunication and observation of planet Earth. Because they have speeds equivalent to the rotation of the Earth and the objects orbit the Equator, the sensation that transpires is that these satellites have a fixed position.

In the case of medium altitude earth orbit (MEO), there are 139 active satellites for services related to navigation systems (GPS, for example). About inclined elliptical orbit (HEO), there are 56 satellites used for communication, radios and remote sensing. The difference between this layer and the others is that this orbit has a point closer to Earth – called perigee, 1.000 km away from the planet – and a more distant point – called apogee, 39.000 km away. 

As commented, the trend of satellites in orbit is only increasing. including the company SpaceX aims to launch 42.000 satellites into space over the next two decades. If you are curious to explore more which satellites are in orbit, visit the website satellite map, made by ESRI. In an interactive way, it has several filters to locate the desired information around the planet Earth. The sum of satellites according to the website is 19.138.

Space junk, smog and other challenges 45683w

It is true that there are already a huge number of satellites in low-altitude earth orbit (LEO). Still, private companies are assembling their own mega-constellations with individual equipment to develop faster internet networks — just like the Starlink — and more elaborate monitoring of climate change. 

According to the astronomer British Columbia University, Aaron Boley, all this movement on the part of companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, Amazon e StarNet/GW is happening mainly due to the drop in costs in recent times. So what's the problem with all of this exactly?

In an interview with the website Live Science, Boley explains: 

“This causes a space traffic management problem and will intensify the proliferation of space debris. It is interfering with astronomy and stargazing, and on top of that, rocket launches and re-entries cause smog.”

Another important reflection to be debated involves the following logic: the more satellites in orbit, the higher the probability of collisions and, consequently, increasing the number of space debris. According to London Museum of Natural History, there are already at least 128 million pieces coming from debris in the LEO, 34.000 of which are larger than 10 cm. In addition to collisions, Aaron Boley points out that there are also possibilities for satellites to break because of prolonged exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation. 

Os Space debris is dangerous and can cause irreparable damage to other orbiting satellites, as well as hitting spacecraft. In June 2021, the International Space Station was hit by debris that damaged a robotic arm. Fortunately, the astronauts managed to resolve the situation and the functions of the parts were not damaged.

atmospheric contamination

As for pollution, in fact, the space industry generates less carbon than other sectors – such as aviation, for example. According to The Guardian, in one launch, the rocket releases an average of 330 tons of carbon into the Earth's atmosphere. It seems like a lot, but compared to medium and long-haul commercial flights that release around 2 to 3 tons of carbon per enger — ing that there are dozens of trips at all times — it doesn't have a big impact.

The real problem is that to launch satellites into orbit, you need to increase rocket launch. With that, according to The Guardian, carbon emissions in this sector increased by 5,6% per year. Boley also adds that in addition to this, as the satellites leave orbit and return to the Earth's atmosphere, a chemical substance is released. His study of the mega constellations shows that in the future this Satellite return can bring more elements, such as aluminum, into the air. There is still no concrete evidence of the impact that this can have, but there is a concern on the part of scientists regarding the ozone layer – which already has holes. 

While there is also concern about the impact of satellites when they come into with the ground, the most modern equipment is designed to break down into smaller parts as they enter the atmosphere and enter as few objects as possible. Even so, most of the falling space junk ends up on Earth's water surface.

Another type of pollution: light pollution

As the activity of satellites in orbit grows, it is predicted that in the future will it be possible to see them here on Earth. That's because metallized equipment can act as mirrors that reflect light back to the surface — and this can directly impact the view of the night sky.

In addition to analyzing space debris related to orbiting satellites, Aaron Boley also performed a study on light pollution, co-written and published in the database arXiv in September 2021. Research says that, in the future, up to 8% of the light present in the night sky could actually come from satellites. It also reports that places near 50 degrees north and south latitude — like British Columbia and Patagonia, for example — may experience less light pollution from satellites than other places.

In the future, at least one in 10 “stars” in the sky could actually be a satellite. This can interfere with stargazing in general and, especially, impact the work of professional astronomers. "Some astronomical surveys will only experience moderate impacts, but the effects in broad field surveys can be substantial.“, concludes Boley.

Is the growth of satellites in orbit negative? 1f5k68

Not necessarily. It is undeniable that the volume of satellites being launched into orbit and the plans for thousands more to be sent become a major warning for the growth of space debris and significant increase in pollution. But at the same time, it is thanks to these devices that sectors such as communication, science, networks and mapping are increasingly advancing.

In fact, Boley points out:

“We are deeply connected to the satellites in orbit. They play an important role in our supply chain, financial transactions, climate monitoring, global communications, search and rescue.”

As it is an increasingly high market with an object that proves to be essential for the population, the probability of completely ceasing satellite launches into orbit is practically nil. Therefore, one of the most viable solutions to balance gains and possible climate crises would be to slow down the demands and shipments of space objects, as well as work on research and elaboration of global rules for the maintenance of this field without resulting in great future damages.

See also:

Satellite launch will be done via launch soon.

Elon Musk will send humans to Mars within 10 years.

Sources: DEWESoft, Live Science, satellite map, The Guardian