Prof. Sam LawlerSep 7, 2023

I just had to update my numbers for a lecture, so here's your periodic reminder: Starlink is now 55% of ALL active satellites in orbit.

And given the recent news about that awful billionaire unilaterally deciding to cut of Starlink internet access to parts of the world whenever he wants to, this is extra important to share. Why did our governments effectively gift Low Earth Orbit to one awful dude? This is so bad.

Show threadProf. Sam LawlerSep 7, 2023
WOW lots of comments already - I can't answer all of these individually, sorry. It's actually not super easy to find satellite numbers - surprise! Private companies aren't real excited about sharing info. Best info for civilians is from @planet4589's excellent website https://planet4589.org/space/con/conlist.html and T.S. Kelso's database https://celestrak.org/satcat/search.php. Both of these are run as side projects by individuals - not paid for by the companies launching all this stuff.
Jonathan's Space Report | Space Statistics

Jonathan McDowell's new homepage

Show threadDr. Jürgen Knödlseder
@sundogplanets @planet4589 There is also https://space.skyrocket.de/index.html by @Skyrocket71 which is very nice and useful
Gunter's Space Page - Information on spaceflight, launch vehicles and satellites

Gunter's Space Page - Information on Launch vehicles, Satellites, Space Shuttle and Astronautics

Sep 7, 2023 at 9:37pmWeb