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Spaceflight

Interstellar exploration and settlement

How do we explore beyond Earth?

Start with the big picture. Open the sections below to see the evidence and future goals.

24/100Comparison scoreAn editorial model, not a scientific grade.
8Milestones to exploreA mix of capabilities and future goals.
4Linked measurementsOpen a measurement for its source and date.
Cooperative Index SCORE
24/100Index weight 10

Progress Scale progress

50% toward Level 2Dependency weight 2
Tailwind: AI, Money & CapitalHeadwind: Peace
REFERENCE MEASURE

315 · Orbital launches in 2025
record; 2026 on pace to beat it

Steps toward the future

Explore the milestone ladder
  1. doneRoutine reusable access to low Earth orbit2015–LEVEL 2
  2. doneHumans return to lunar vicinity (Artemis II flyby)Apr 2026LEVEL 2
  3. nextFully reusable super-heavy launcher (Starship orbital)Flight 14, Sep 2026LEVEL 2
  4. plannedCrewed lunar landing (Artemis III)2027LEVEL 3
  5. plannedPermanent Moon base2030sLEVEL 3
  6. farHumans on Mars2030s–40sLEVEL 4
  7. farInterstellar probe (Breakthrough Starshot class)LEVEL 4
  8. farSpeculative faster-than-light propulsiontheoretical onlyLEVEL 4
AROUND OUR PLANET

How many satellites are there?

≈15,800Still workingFunctioning satellites
≈19,440Still in spaceWorking and inactive satellites
≈47,360Tracked objectsIncludes satellites, rocket bodies and debris

ESA update: 2026-10-23 · Reviewed: 2026-11-02 · Rounded estimates. ESA Space Debris Office ↗

What these counts mean

A working satellite still performs a function. Inactive satellites can remain in orbit. Tracking an object does not mean it is working, and many small debris fragments are not catalogued.

These figures describe Earth’s orbital environment; they are not a score of progress. More objects can also mean more congestion. The daily source review checks for newer ESA figures; this display does not tick upward between observations.

POSSIBLE ROUTE FORWARD

Action path

2027–2034Editorial horizon
TARGET

Level 2: fully reusable super-heavy launcher; permanent Moon base

Explore the possible steps

Possible steps

  1. Starship reaches orbit (Flight 14)
  2. Booster and ship catch; rapid reflight
  3. Orbital propellant transfer
  4. Artemis III (2027); base built on repeated landings early 2030s
THE CRUX · DECISION POINT

In-space propellant transfer — every deep-space plan runs through it; nobody has done it at scale

IF THE MAINLINE STALLS

If reuse takes years, China's ILRS and Blue Origin's lander keep the Moon rung alive on a slower cadence

What to watch

Tonnes to orbit per year; days between Starship reflights; first propellant transfer demo

Related snapshot measures

These are the available measures in the supplied dataset; they may be proxies for the leading indicators above.

Unlocks

A scenario from the supplied handoff, not a prediction or professional advice.

Sourced indicators / 4

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Reported fact

A number from a named source. Check when, where and what it measures.

Model or score

A way to compare things using chosen rules. Different rules can give different scores.

Future goal or scenario

Something we hope to achieve, or imagine might happen. It is not a measured fact.

Milestone
An important step toward a goal.
Indicator
A measurement that helps us understand something.
Dependency
Something that may need help from something else.
Biodiversity
The variety of living things.
GW
Gigawatts: a unit of power. Capacity is what equipment can produce at its rated output.
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