Link: CelesTrak: SpaceX controls 62%+ of all active satellites in orbit, ~10x more than closest rival OneWeb, after launching its 7,000th Starlink satellite on Sep. 5 (Anthony Cuthbertson/The Independent)

Elon Musk now controls nearly two-thirds of all active satellites with SpaceX's 7,000th Starlink satellite launch. This represents over 62% of all operational satellites globally.

The Starlink constellation, operated by SpaceX since 2019, averages three new satellites per day. Currently, there are 6,370 active satellites and several hundred more either inactive or deorbited.

SpaceX's rapid expansion dwarfs its closest competitor, OneWeb, which has about 10 times fewer satellites. After disruptions with Russian Soyuz launches, OneWeb now uses SpaceX for satellite deployment.

SpaceX's ultimate goal is a constellation of up to 42,000 satellites, aiming for global high-speed internet and phone connectivity. Starlink services are already available in 102 countries with over three million subscribers.

Despite facing internet restrictions, people in nations like Iran have accessed Starlink using smuggled equipment. Meanwhile, SpaceX plans further expansions except in countries like China and Russia.

Musk's tweets reflect his significant influence over global data through his companies, including SpaceX and Tesla. Concerns mount over the power concentrated in Musk's hands as he governs major tech platforms and space assets. #

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