Evolution of space mass population

The consolidation of knowledge on all known objects in space is a fundamental aspect of the operational support activities of ESA's Space Debris Office.

This knowledge is maintained and kept updated through ESA's DISCOS database (Database and Information System Characterising Objects in Space).

DISCOS serves as a single­-source reference for information on launch details, orbit histories, physical properties and mission descriptions for about 42 100 objects tracked since Sputnik ­1, including nearly 109 million orbit records in total. The US Space Surveillance Network provides a continuous flow of orbit data for all tracked, unclassified objects.

The latest updated version of this chart can be accessed in the ESA Space Debris User Portal.