Instead of chasing stars or exploring new worlds, a growing number of innovators are launching satellites to protect our own Earth, in a new kind of “space race” to spot wildfires before they spread.

Europe’s Copernicus program has secured funding for six new satellite missions aimed at tracking vital environmental parameters. This commitment will significantly boost global efforts to monitor ...

But in Redmond, Washington, for example, between 24 to 42 satellites are regularly passing overhead, putting them in position to beam high-speed internet, according to satellite industry analyst ...