Orbit By Bit

“Some researchers have created a model for how many satellites could fit in low earth orbit, taking into account how far apart they should be spaced to reduce the risk of collisions. They estimate that LEO could theoretically hold up to 12.6 million satellites. But others have warned that even 1 million satellites in LEO — the number of satellites that were filed for approval with the International Telecommunication Union, a U.N. agency, between 2017 and 2022 — pose a risk because of a greater chance for collisions and debris surviving reentry and falling out of the sky.” So instead of looking up (which can be dangerous), look down at your device and read this very interesting graphical look at how space is being filled up at satellite speed. Rest of World: Out of space: Picturing the big, crowded business of satellite internet.