SpaceX Launches 10,000th Starlink Satellite, Dominates Market

SpaceX has achieved a significant milestone by launching its 10,000th Starlink satellite into orbit, further solidifying its leadership in the satellite internet market. According to AOL.com, this launch means that Elon Musk now controls approximately two-thirds of all active satellites, with 8,562 out of 12,955 active satellites in low-Earth orbit belonging to the Starlink constellation.

The recent launch involved sending another batch of 56 satellites, bringing SpaceX's total to over 10,000 launched in the past six and a half years. As reported by Barlaman Today, the Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking the 156th launch of the Falcon 9 in 2025, setting a record for the most launches by a single rocket type in a year.

SpaceX aims to expand its constellation to 42,000 satellites, although it currently has regulatory approval for 12,000. Despite this growth, concerns have been raised regarding the environmental impact of satellite deorbits, as astronomer Jonathan McDowell noted an increase in the number of satellites reentering the atmosphere, which may contribute to atmospheric pollution.

As competition in the commercial space industry intensifies, with rivals like OneWeb operating only 651 satellites, SpaceX’s dominance in the sector is becoming increasingly pronounced.