the satellite tracking website “Orbiting Now” lists 10,313 active satellites in various Earth orbits. Low orbits are easier to reach and have certain advantages for small satellites. Radio signals take much less time to reach LEO than GEO.

Satellites can perform several missions.depending on their payloads. The five most common primary missions include :

• Communications

  3.135

• Earth Observation

  1.052

• Technology Development

  383

• Navigation

  154

• Space Science

  108

• StarLink SpaceX

  6.100

Operating satellitesare registered in 105 countries or multinational organizations. The ten countries with the most operational satellites are: