As of 2024, 9,494 active satellites are orbiting Earth according to the "Orbiting Now" statistics. The Government Accountability Office projects this number to increase to 58,000 satellites. This significant growth is driven by private sector initiatives, particularly the development of mega-constellations, with programs like Starlink being among the most extensive. The desire for more precise and secure data transmission is encouraging a wide range of institutions to engage in space-related activities.
