Looking for real time shuttle tracking software...

[heyjoojoo]

I like the layout like what NASA TV aires on their channel showing the multi screens from different perspectives. Any such freeware exists?


If only in payware version, that would be cool too.

Kareem

[N_Jay]

I don't know, did you look here?

space shuttle tracking software - Google Search

[kmacka]

Download Orbitron 3.71 - Orbitron is a satellite tracking system that was designed for radio amateur and observing purposes - Softpedia

That link will let you download Orbitron. You should update the TLE's and look for STS 125 and there you go.

[n4yek]

I have used Orbitron, it is good software to run. I also use this link: LIVE REAL TIME SATELLITE AND SPACE SHUTTLE TRACKING , it is a nice online source.

[heyjoojoo]

I saw these but figured there were some that looked a little more like what you see on NASA TV at the Mission Control Center.

[heyjoojoo]

They have a cool layout.

[mdulrich]

You aren't going to find software like NASA uses. You have to remember NASA has realtime data from the spacecraft that gives them positions, attitudes, etc. that isn't available to the tracking software available for home use. What is available for home use is a projection of where the spacecraft is based on past data.

Mike

[tactcom42]

I use wxtrack.you can make your own icons with any icon maker software.you can make the map look like nasa also.I used ms paint.here is the iss icon and some ham sats I made.works great.

David and Cecilia Taylor`s Web Pages

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by mdulrich

You aren't going to find software like NASA uses. You have to remember NASA has realtime data from the spacecraft that gives them positions, attitudes, etc. that isn't available to the tracking software available for home use. What is available for home use is a projection of where the spacecraft is based on past data.

Define "past data". Current Keplerian data is available for shuttle flights from a number of sources. This data is accurate enough to use for controlling steerable antennas and telescopes.

To the OP, there are a number of programs that will get you what you're looking for. I use Traksat. It was free, and so is the orbital data required to make it work.

[mdulrich]

Originally Posted by zz0468

Define "past data". Current Keplerian data is available for shuttle flights from a number of sources. This data is accurate enough to use for controlling steerable antennas and telescopes.

Current Keplerian data is current only at the time it was calculated and released. That is why they need to be periodically updated. The software takes that data and makes a projection of the current position of the satellite. Yes it is accurate, but don't update the data for a long period of time and you will be surprised how far off the projection is.

Mike

[TBennettcc]

Back in the late 90's, I used a program called STSPLUS, written by the late David Ransom, Jr. He passed away in 2006. A copy of his website is available here:

STSPLUS Home Page

It's a very DOS-like GUI, little to no mouse, if I remember correctly. But I'm mostly a keyboard jockey anyways, and I prefer that kind of thing.

Just another program to add to the list. Good luck.

[tactcom42]

It only takes a min or 2 to download the full sat file from space track.I update twice a month and had no issues tracking iss or ham sats,weather sats.Most of the time you would just update before useing a sat or trying to track one.

[ShawnInPaso]

Satscape has views similar to NASA's. I prefer the satellite interface and views of Ham Radio Deluxe howvever - truly a first class program.

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by mdulrich

Current Keplerian data is current only at the time it was calculated and released. That is why they need to be periodically updated. The software takes that data and makes a projection of the current position of the satellite. Yes it is accurate, but don't update the data for a long period of time and you will be surprised how far off the projection is.

Mike

That's a non-issue for someone trying to track the shuttle. The data is posted just as soon as it is established in orbit, and updated frequently during the flight. You're painting this as a problem. This is what people use. It works, it's accurate, and it's free. And when you learn how to use it, you learn how to update the data, and you learn how stupidly simple it is. Oh... did I mention that it works?

[tactcom42]

Originally Posted by TBennettcc

Back in the late 90's, I used a program called STSPLUS, written by the late David Ransom, Jr. He passed away in 2006. A copy of his website is available here:

STSPLUS Home Page

It's a very DOS-like GUI, little to no mouse, if I remember correctly. But I'm mostly a keyboard jockey anyways, and I prefer that kind of thing.

Just another program to add to the list. Good luck.

Hey thanks for the link to stsplus.love that software.looks really good and runs on about anything around.love the night view.turns everything to red.had that software along time.just didnt know a copy of the site was still around.

[mdulrich]

Originally Posted by zz0468

That's a non-issue for someone trying to track the shuttle. The data is posted just as soon as it is established in orbit, and updated frequently during the flight. You're painting this as a problem. This is what people use. It works, it's accurate, and it's free. And when you learn how to use it, you learn how to update the data, and you learn how stupidly simple it is. Oh... did I mention that it works?

No I'm not painting this as a problem. The OP asked for software the looked like NASA's "showing the multi screens from different perspectives". If you watch NASA TV you will see multiple screens showing the attitude of the shuttle from various points of view. I responded that it wasn't available for home use because NASA has real time data streamed from the shuttle giving them attitude information.

All software available for home use will give an accurate display of the location of spacecraft, provided the data is updated periodically. All these software packages operate with data that is a snapshot of a moment in time and then uses that data to figure out the location into the future. As time goes on, that position becomes increasing inaccurate.

Do an experiment, don't update your Keplerian elements for say 3 months. Note the location of a satellite and then update your elements. Let me know how far off your first location was.

I use and have used various software packages for years, I know how to use it and how to update the elements. Yes, they are easy to use and easy to update the elements. But that is the key point, you need to update the elements

Mike

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by mdulrich

No I'm not painting this as a problem. The OP asked for software the looked like NASA's "showing the multi screens from different perspectives".

Ok... So what's been suggested as available is ONE perspective view. How the data is input is irrelevant to the discussion. A similar multi-screen display COULD be created using the same data.

Originally Posted by mdulrich

If you watch NASA TV you will see multiple screens showing the attitude of the shuttle from various points of view. I responded that it wasn't available for home use because NASA has real time data streamed from the shuttle giving them attitude information.

perhaps what's needed here is comments from the OP clarifying just what it is he wants. A graphic display showing shuttle location in reference to earth? Or does he really want EXACTLY what NASA has?

Originally Posted by mdulrich

All software available for home use will give an accurate display of the location of spacecraft, provided the data is updated periodically. All these software packages operate with data that is a snapshot of a moment in time and then uses that data to figure out the location into the future. As time goes on, that position becomes increasing inaccurate.

This is correct, and not in dispute. So? Update the data. That's what you're supposed to do, that's what the software's instructions state.

Originally Posted by mdulrich

Do an experiment, don't update your Keplerian elements for say 3 months. Note the location of a satellite and then update your elements. Let me know how far off your first location was.

Again, this is not in dispute. We are in total agreement as to what the result will be. Do you get that yet? My point is... 'SO? UPDATE THE DATA'.

Originally Posted by mdulrich

I use and have used various software packages for years, I know how to use it and how to update the elements. Yes, they are easy to use and easy to update the elements. But that is the key point, you need to update the elements

Again, you're treating it as a problem. So you frequently update the data on these programs. THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU DO.

In the end, back to the OP's original query, yes, you can get similar displays. They're free. So is the data. Update frequently. Very accurate. Very neat to look at. It says shuttle overhead, go outside. Shuttle is over head.

FIN.

[rdale]

Originally Posted by zz0468

Ok... So what's been suggested as available is ONE perspective view. How the data is input is irrelevant to the discussion. A similar multi-screen display COULD be created using the same data.

Actually it cannot... The OP asked about the multi-view display which shows orientation and is updated with elements in real time (critical during maneuvers.) That cannot be created outside of NASA.

[mdulrich]

Originally Posted by zz0468

Again, you're treating it as a problem. So you frequently update the data on these programs. THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU DO.

DO YOU GET MY POINT, I AGREE!!!!! Tell me where I have posted anything incorrect?!?! AND I AM NOT TREATING IT AS A PROBLEM, I just pointed out that you needed to update the elements, as you did.

Again you can't get real time (or any time) attitude displays showing the X, Y, and Z axis like NASA shows. You can get a display showing the location over the ground and the data on those displays will show the altitude over the earth. But it WILL NOT show if the shuttle is facing forward, is flying nose up or down, etc.

Mike

[zz0468]

Originally Posted by rdale

Actually it cannot... The OP asked about the multi-view display which shows orientation and is updated with elements in real time (critical during maneuvers.) That cannot be created outside of NASA.

My bad... I've been discussing software that will show orbital position, not actual spacecraft orientation or attitude. The last time I watched anything broadcast by NASA, they merely showed orbital data, not attitude, nose up, facing to the rear, etc. It's understood that would require live data. The actual orbit is highly predictable and would not... for a while.