Table 2 Major large satellite constellations —latest counts and status
From: On-orbit servicing as a future accelerator for small satellites
Constellation | Planned/nominal size | Latest status (deployment) | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|
Starlink (SpaceX) | 12,000+ approved; 42,000 potentially in long-term perspective | Passed 10,000th Starlink satellite launched in Oct 2025; active deployment continues | |
Project Kuiper (Amazon Kuiper) | ~3200 planned (initial constellation) | Deployment started in April 2025; multiple launches underway | |
OneWeb LEO | About 650 (Phase 1 design) | Majority of Phase-1 satellites are launched and operational | |
Guowang (satellite internet series satellites) | About 6000 | 127 satellites at LEO and 3 satellites at high orbit | |
Qianfan (Spacesail constellation/G60 Starlink) | 15,000 internet satellites 1296 satellites in the first phase | About 120 operational satellites | |
Geespace | 240 planned | Over 60 operational satellites | |
Telesat lightspeed | 198 (1600 was initially planned, reduced from the earlier 298) | Launches with SpaceX in late 2026. Development and phased deployment plans; prototype activity ongoing | |
Galileo (GNS System through the ESA) | 27 satellites in service, 30 satellites launched | 12 planned (Galileo second generation) | |
IRIS² | Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite—290 satellites | First launches expected in 2029, service in 2030 | |
O3b mPOWER (SES) | Dozens (incremental MEO HTS constellation) | Multiple satellites launched and entering service; phased ramp of capacity | |
Iridium (Iridium NEXT/network) | ~66 (operational crosslinked LEO constellation) | Replacement constellation completed previously; ongoing upgrades | |
Globalstar (next-gen) | Tens (replenishment programs) | Replacement/augmentation launches underway for Globalstar-2/Globalstar-3 | |
AST SpaceMobile | Target: up to 60 by 2026 (initial campaign) | Small-scale deployments and business updates through 2025 |
