On January 1, 2007, I embarked on a unique project that no other had ever attempted. CASTOR sought to determine the number of man-made orbiting satellites that could be detected using only medium-aperture telescopes and professional grade CCD cameras.

Today, nearly three years later, that number has risen to nearly 3,400 individual satellites; just over one fifth of the total number currently known.

Back in 2007, I had thought that 2,000 satellites would be very difficult, but managed to detect 2,053 by the end of 2007.

In 2009, I thought that 3,000 would be difficult, but managed to bring my total up to 3,153 satellites.

Today, I am thinking that 4,000 satellites would be difficult, however, that number is nearing with each new detection. I am nearing 3,500 satellites, a milestone in itself. The number of new detections is not slowing down, despite having detected such a large number.

I am confident that a total of 3,500 satellites will be detected before the end of this year; and the 4,000th satellite will be detected by the end of 2011. At that time, I might even be contemplating going for a milestone total of 5,000 in 2012.

Click to view the CASTOR satellite catalogue