In this episode of Everything Explained, we look up to unpack a deceptively simple question: how many satellites are actually orbiting Earth? From active satellites to defunct spacecraft and space debris, we explore what’s really filling near-Earth space and why the numbers keep changing. We break down the main orbital zones—Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit, and Geostationary Orbit—and explain what satellites in each region do for our daily lives, from GPS and weather forecasting to global internet coverage. The episode also dives into the challenges of a crowded sky, including space debris, collision risks, the Kessler syndrome, and the impact of bright satellite trails on astronomy. A clear, grounded guide to the invisible infrastructure above us—and the shared responsibility of keeping Earth’s orbital highways usable for the future.