On Sunday, SpaceX successfully launched 56 additional Starlink satellites aboard separate Falcon 9 rockets, surpassing 10,000 satellites launched into low Earth orbit. This achievement occurred during the 132nd Falcon 9 launch of 2025 and ties the previous record for annual launches, with over two months remaining in the year.
Out of the total 10,000 satellites, approximately 8,608 are currently operational, as reported by satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell. Starlink satellites have a lifespan of about five years before being intentionally de-orbited to burn up in the atmosphere. The initial Starlink prototypes were launched in February 2018, leading up to the service’s commercial debut in 2021.
SpaceX has received authorization to deploy 12,000 satellites, with plans for over 30,000 in total, aimed at providing high-speed, low-latency internet access globally. Competing initiatives, such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper and various efforts from European and Chinese organizations, are also pursuing large satellite constellations. This raises questions regarding potential overcrowding in low Earth orbit and the implications for satellite operations and space sustainability.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/802509/starlink-launches-10000th-internet-satellite