834
Objects launched
824
Payloads
Most recent objects
GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)| Object | Launched | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEN-1 | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| Vireon 2 | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
| SPOQC | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
| Vireon 1 | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
| Hotsat-2 | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
| IO-1 | 2026 Mar 30 | Payload | Operating |
| CarbSAR-IOD | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| AC1-003 | 2025 Nov 28 | Payload | Operating |
| AC1-001 | 2025 Nov 28 | Payload | Operating |
| AC1-002 | 2025 Nov 28 | Payload | Operating |
Objects by decade
GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)1960s7
1970s14
1980s5
1990s12
2000s19
2010s69
2020s708
Source: GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Space objects launched | 834 objectsGCAT [2026] |
| First space object | Ariel 1GCAT [2026] |
| First launch (year) | 1,962GCAT [2026] |
| Most recent launch (year) | 2,026GCAT [2026] |
| Active satellites | 700Celestrak SATCAT [2026] |
| Total tracked objects | 759Celestrak SATCAT [2026] |
- 1957 - first suborbital sounding rocket (Skylark) launched
- 1960s - first satellite (Ariel) launched by US; development of Black Arrow satellite launch vehicle (SLV); launched first of Skynet family of communications satellites
- 1971 - first successful placement of satellite (Prospero) in orbit on a 3-stage Black Arrow SLV (Black Arrow SLV program ended in early 1970s)
- 1973 - began participating in development of Ariane SLV along with other European states, particularly France and Germany
- 1991 - first British astronaut into space to Russian Mir space station
- 2015 - first British astronaut on International Space Station
- 2019-
- 2020 - began participating in US Gateway lunar orbital station program and signed US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration
- 2024 - first military remote sensing satellite (Tyche) launched by US
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
