Whether most people realise it or not, outer space is now part of everyday life for much of the planet's population. Satellites have become fundamental to modern society, especially so in the developed world but also increasingly in developing nations. Broadcast television, the internet, ATM machines, banking transfers, telephone service, credit card validation, weather prediction, terrestrial and oceanic mapping, atmospheric and natural disaster monitoring, urban planning, navigation, and even targeting of sophisticated weaponry all rely on the use of satellites. At least 19 nations have launch capabilities and some 40 operate satellites for various purposes, and there are some 600 to 800 operational satellites currently in orbit, although the exact number is impossible to find due to lack of any centralised database.

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Hitchens, Theresa. "Safeguarding Space: Building Cooperative Norms to Dampen Negative Trends." Disarmament Diplomacy. No. 81 (Winter 2005). [ 9 quotes ]