How Many Satellites Are Orbiting Earth?

The number of satellites orbiting the Earth is increasing exponentially. (Image credit: Shutterstock) 

 Live Science: How many satellites orbit Earth?  

The number is increasing fast, which is problematic. 

Human-made satellites were once rare in low Earth orbit (LEO), with just a handful of them rotating around the planet at the dawn of the Space Age in the 1950s. 

But now, there are thousands of satellites swarming around Earth, with even more waiting to join them. 

So, to put an exact number on it, how many satellites are orbiting Earth, and how many might join them in the near future? 

And once all of these satellites are spaceborne, what types of problems might they cause?  

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CSN Editor: There are currently about 7500 active satellites.