Satellite tracking • HAM radio • ISS • Visual observing • Tracking software • Iridium flares • Satellite tracking at home

Orbitron - Satellite Tracking System

Orbitron is a satellite tracking system for radio amateur and observing purposes. It's also used by weather professionals, satellite communication users, astronomers, UFO hobbyist and even astrologers.

Application shows the positions of satellites at any given moment (in real or simulated time). It's FREE (Cardware) and it's probably one of the easiest and most powerful satellite trackers, according to opinions of thousands of users from all over the world. I'm still working on it, waiting for your opinions and bug reports. Please try it. If you like it - tell your friends about it and send me a postcard...

The first artificial satellite was put in the space on October 4, 1957 by theRussians. It was named Sputnik 1, and spent 92 days in Earth orbit. Since thenman has launched thousands of rockets, and put thousands of satellites in orbit.There are more than 8000 objects in orbit now, including operational,non-operational, rocket bodies, and debris. They are orbiting at an altitudefrom 150, up to several thousands kilometers. For more than ten years peoplehave been able to track satellites on a computer using satellite trackingsoftware like Orbitron.

Due to predictable conditions of satellite movement in space (lack ofatmosphere) computer software can calculate a satellite's position for givenmoment. Calculations are done based on known orbit parameters determined atepoch. Known orbital parameters like inclination, eccentricity, argument ofperigee, mean motion (revolutions per day), let us track satellite for areasonable period of time after epoch. Orbital data for each object is grouped,and distributed as a Two Line Element (TLE) file.

To keep tracking software working precisely, one should update elementsperiodically. For low orbiting objects (altitude less than 500 km) TLE datashould be updated every few days. For higher orbits, you can update your TLEevery few weeks. Other important things include making your predictions asclose to real time as possible by using time synchronization, and theprecise coordinates of your location.

You must remember that TLE data for an object that has maneuvered since thelast elset is no longer any good. Updating is most important for satelliteslike Progress, Soyuz, and the Space Shuttle which maneuvers often (docking,deorbit, changing of orbit).

Why do we track satellites? There are several reasons. One might want toobserve (even with the naked eye) ISS passing over their home or brilliantIridium flares. Radio amateurs use satellite tracking software to obtain thebest pass for QSO with another radio amateur. Such software can help youwith your hobby, and will help you understand more about Astronomy, andPhysics.

So even if you're a beginner, don't hesitate to download satellite trackingsoftware like Orbitron. Change your home into mission control center!

Remember, satellite tracking is the easiest ever with Orbitron!

Satellite tracking • HAM radio • ISS • Visual observing • Tracking software • Iridium flares • Satellite tracking at home • International Space Station