Satscape - Satellite tracking on your computer
Satscape - Satellite tracking on your computer
Satscape is a satellite tracking program for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Sun Solaris, and FreeBSD operating systems. You can use it to find out the position of any of the 8000+ satellites and orbital debris in orbit around the earth right now, anything from the International space station to a misplaced spanner can be tracked right on your screen with no special equipment.
Your very own NORAD command and control on your computer desktop. Sorry, it doesn’t currently track Santa. So, if you’re a star-gazer and want to see (with the naked eye) the international space station fly over your house, or you’re a radio amateur who wants to know when you can have a QSO with your buddy thousands of miles away. This is the program you need, easy to use, no need to be a rocket-scientist, it will do all the hard maths for you, and looks pretty.
This is the 3D view that shows the current location of any satellite in earth orbit, along with its projected path and the ‘footprint’ of the earth that it covers.
Information on the left shows statistical data about its position and when it due to pass over your house, along with radio frequencies it transmits on.
2D view shows a map of the world with the all the satellite positions
3D view shows a realistic representation of the satellite positions.
Pass predictions can be calculated, displayed and printed in a few seconds
The program and tracking data are automatically updated via the internet to keep it accurate.
Speech announcements are made at user-specified periods to alert you when a satellite is about to pass over.
Step 1
Step 2
The first step checks that you have java installed.
The second step downloads and installs Satscape onto your Windows PC, Apple Mac or Linux machine, as it uses Java’s web-start technology, it will keep itself up to date automatically. It will try to connect to the internet when you start it up, but don’t worry, it works fine without an internet connection for about two months, then it will need to update the tracking data.
Other Satscape Downloads
Download the ‘Classic’ version of Satscape
This is the original satscape made for Windows only, still works (except issues with Vista) and updates tracking data, but no longer under development. Eventually Satscape for Java (above) will do everything this does and more.
Download the spanish version of ‘classic’ Satscape
Esta es una versión modificada del clásico Satscape traducida al español.
Download the classic Satscape manual
Post and read messages from myself and other Satscape users, find the solution to problems you may have, ask questions.
Displays a list of bugs and feature requests, I’ll try to fix them as soon as possible. Satscape is not open-source.
From time to time I made video and audio podcasts to demonstrate Satscape, watch then on your computer or portable video/audio player.
Satscape Video Demonstration
Download Satscape
You don’t need any special equipment, just a computer and this software. Its easy to use and keeps itself up to date. It could also be a great educational tool for teachers.
To the Author, any amount from one UK pence upward.
1 UK pound = about...
1.50 US$
1.05 Euros
2.16 Aus$
Track any satellite on your PC, Mac or Linux box
Satscape TV
24 hours a day
Satscape TV is a TV station that streams 24 hours a day over the internet, showing all sorts of Radio amateur and satellite related TV shows, from pros and amateur video producers from around the world.
If you have a video that you’d like to appear on Satscape TV, simply upload it to YouTube and add a tag ‘satscape tv’ when you upload it, and I’ll find it and add it to the programme line up.
Enjoy the show!
RSS feed or iTunes
Advanced users : If you prefer not to use Webstart™ you can download the JAR files in a zip. Warning: This version will not auto-update the software, only the keps will be updated. Subscribe to the RSS feed to know when there’s a new version available.