Space Satellites
Active Communications Satellites by Operator
Active satellites by major connectivity operator (early-to-mid 2026), colored by service type. Starlink is roughly 65% of all active satellites in orbit.
Data updated 2026-06-17
Starlink Subscriber Growth
Starlink reported active customers at milestone dates, from 1 million at end of 2022 to 12 million on June 4, 2026, spanning residential, business, mobility, and direct-to-cell.
Data updated 2026-06-05
The Direct-to-Cell Race
Direct-to-cell connects ordinary, unmodified phones straight to satellites. Compares the three contenders: AST SpaceMobile, Starlink, and Globalstar (Apple).
| Player | Approach |
|---|---|
| AST SpaceMobileASTS | A few very large phased-array satellites (next-generation BlueBird arrays near 2,400 square feet, the largest commercial arrays in low Earth orbit) beaming broadband, voice, and data direct to unmodified phones. |
| Starlink Direct to Cell | Direct-to-cell payloads carried on standard Starlink satellites. Many small satellites deliver 4G-class texting first, with voice and data expanding. |
| Globalstar and Apple | Emergency SOS and limited messaging built into the iPhone. Not full broadband to the phone. |
Data updated 2026-06-05