Space’s Messy Problem: Orbital Debris and the Sustainability Crisis Earth’s orbits have become a cosmic junkyard. Decades of launches have left tens of thousands of pieces of debris whizzing around the planet at 28,000 km/h, each one a potential bullet threatening active spacecraft vivatechnology.com vivatechnology.com. As of mid-2020s, over 32,000 debris objects are regularly tracked…
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Executive snapshot From a New Zealand sunrise eclipse in September 2025 to a fiery “ring of fire” annular eclipse over southern Africa in February 2026, plus two total “Blood-Moon” eclipses, four outer-planet oppositions, the reliable Perseids and Geminids, and a newly discovered comet (C/2025 L1 ATLAS) brightening next spring—this 12-month stretch is packed with reasons…
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Governments worldwide are entering a “Sky Wars” satellite arms race – a contest to secure robust military satellite communications (Satcom) for the coming decade. From 2025 to 2035, defense agencies are pouring resources into Satcom as warfighters demand resilient, everywhere-connectivity. The Ukraine conflict underscored Satcom’s importance (e.g. Starlink kept forces online), spurring militaries to accelerate…
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Total Number of Satellites in Orbit (Active vs. Defunct) in 2025 As of 2025, Earth is encircled by an unprecedented number of artificial satellites. By the end of March 2025, approximately 14,900 total satellites were orbiting the planet. However, not all of these are operational. Roughly 11,000–12,000 of these satellites are active and functioning, while…
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The convergence of satellite communications with 5G networks is accelerating, launching a new space race to provide broadband backhaul from orbit. In the period 2024–2031, companies are investing billions of dollars into constellations of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites to extend 5G coverage to every corner of…
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Geostationary satellites – perched 36,000 km above Earth in the coveted orbit where they match Earth’s rotation – are entering a new era of renewal and reinvention. After decades of steady service, many of the world’s GEO satellites are aging beyond their planned lifespans, and a wave of replacements and upgrades is on the horizon. Between…
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The Satellite IoT (Internet of Things) revolution is kicking into high gear, promising to connect millions of devices in the most remote corners of the globe. By leveraging satellite networks for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, this burgeoning sector is extending the internet’s reach far beyond terrestrial cell towers. Analysts forecast explosive growth in the coming years…
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Introduction Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly intertwined with modern space technology, enabling spacecraft and satellites to operate more autonomously and efficiently than ever before. From helping Mars rovers navigate alien terrain to processing vast streams of Earth observation data in orbit, AI techniques like machine learning and automated planning are revolutionizing how we explore and…
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A New Space Race in Satellite Manufacturing The satellite manufacturing industry is entering a boom period from 2024 through 2033, with “bus” platforms – the modular chassis of satellites – at the center of a fierce global competition. Established aerospace giants are vying with agile NewSpace startups to meet surging demand for satellites across Low-Earth…
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Executive Summary In summary, the 2025–2032 period will likely be remembered as the “gold rush” era for small satellite launch services, marked by fierce competition, rapidly advancing technology, and multiplying launch opportunities worldwide. For stakeholders – whether satellite operators planning constellations, investors evaluating launch companies, or government agencies seeking assured access to space – the…
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