Whether you're navigating with GPS, checking the weather, or binging your favorite show, satellites make it possible. These orbiting tools are essential to modern life: powering telecoms, guiding airplanes, tracking wildfires, and much, much more. But in just a few years, the number of satellites has surged dramatically. And as space gets increasingly crowded, the way we think about orbit has changed, raising new questions about sustainability and space traffic control.
So, how many satellites are actually up there, what are they all doing, and who’s keeping track of it all? Click through this gallery to find out.