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Satellites erase stars
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
SpaceX's Starlink passed 11,000 satellites in orbit on Aug 19, 2026, its 100th mission of the year. Active satellites now total 15,711, with Starlink making up two-thirds.
Background
Since 2019, the number of active satellites has surged nearly eightfold, driven by SpaceX's Starlink megaconstellation. As of June 2026, 15,711 active satellites orbit Earth, with Starlink accounting for 10,365 (65.97%). The rapid deployment raises concerns about light pollution and space traffic.
How it unfolded
- 2019Fewer than 2,000 active satellites circled Earth as SpaceX began scaling Starlink.
- Jun 2026Look Up index counted 15,711 active satellites, with Starlink at 10,365 (65.97%).
- Aug 19, 2026SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites on its 100th mission of 2026, pushing the constellation past 11,000.
- Aug 22, 2026Reports confirm Starlink dominance, with active satellites nearly eightfold higher than 2019.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- The rapid growth of satellite constellations like Starlink is unprecedented and raises concerns about space traffic management and light pollution.
- Support
- SpaceX's launch cadence and constellation expansion are historic milestones for global internet coverage and space exploration.