As of May 2025, there are approximately 12,149 active satellites orbiting Earth according to the satellite tracking website “Orbiting Now”

. This number reflects a significant increase from earlier years, for example:

• About 11,330 satellites were orbiting Earth at the end of June 2023 according to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
• In early 2022, there were around 8,261 satellites in orbit

• By mid-2024, UNOOSA reported about 11,780 satellites in orbit, most functioning in low Earth orbit (LEO)

The total number of satellites includes both active and inactive ones, with active satellites making up the majority. For instance, in 2021, about half of the satellites were active, and by 2025, the vast majority of the 12,149 satellites are active

. The rapid growth in satellite numbers is largely driven by the deployment of small satellites and large constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink, which alone accounts for over 6,000 satellites in LEO and plans to expand further

. In summary:

• Total satellites in orbit (2025): ~12,149 active satellites
• Growth trend: Rapid increase over recent years, driven by small satellites and mega-constellations
• Major operators: SpaceX operates the largest fleet with over 1,600 satellites as of 2023

This makes Earth’s satellite population one of the fastest-growing aspects of space activity today.