Satellites
Orbits
2016 – Satellite Orbits – Snapshot
As in previous years, the most used orbit type is low Earth orbit (LEO). In 2016, 80% of the 219 spacecraft launched or deployed around the Earth were inserted into…
2013 – Satellite Orbits
There were ## active satellites in orbit at the end of 2013, all performing various missions depending on their configuration and orbit. Of all active satellites, ## (approximately ##% of…
2005 – Satellite Orbits
As geostationary (GSO) satellites remain in an essentially fixed position relative to the ground at all times, they can communicate with fixed ground stations continually. Medium Earth orbit (MEO) and…
2014 – Satellite Orbits
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a total of ## satellites were active at the end of 2014. These satellites are mostly located in low Earth orbit (LEO) between 200 and…
Orbits
How the Space Foundation characterizes satellite orbits
This is a description of the Space Foundation methodology for classifying different satellite orbits with Earth at their focus. This chart shows the rules The Space Report uses for satellite…
2015 – Satellite Orbits – Snapshot
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a total of 1,381 satellites were still operational at the end of 2015.[efn_note]Union of Concerned Scientists. “UCS Satellite Database.” http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear_weapons_and_global_security/solutions/space-weapons/ucs-satellite-database.html. [/efn_note] These satellites…
2011 – Satellite Orbits – Snapshot
The closer proximity to the Earth also greatly reduces signal delay from a LEO satellite to ground stations and allows for smaller receivers on the ground. While minimizing signal delay…
2010 – Satellite Orbits – Snapshot
The closer proximity to the Earth also greatly reduces signal delay from a LEO satellite to ground stations and allows for smaller receivers on the ground. While these attributes are…
2009 – Satellite Orbits – Snapshot
Satellites provide a perspective of the Earth that cannot be matched by ground-based technology. In the early days of the Space Age, satellites served little purpose beyond demonstrating that they…