Satellite Tracking

Abstract

Satellite tracking is popular. You only have to see the counts of the number of people downloading satellite orbital elements to realise this. By the end of the day on which new elements are published, thousands will have logged on and copied them into their satellite tracking program. I can remember as a boy seeing one of the early Sputniks going overhead — it was visible proof that the USSR had taken an early lead in the space race. From the early days through to those of the MIR space-station today, satellite observation has always been of great public interest. In this chapter we look at just three of the many tracking programs available, which predict what will be passing over your particular observing site tonight. If you are new to satellite tracking software, one thing to be aware of is that orbital elements for satellites go out of date very rapidly. If you get hooked on satellite tracking then Internet access will be essential for downloading the latest elements. There are two sections on sites where elements can be obtained but just a word about the jargon. Satellite observing, like most specialist areas, has its own “techno speak”. Elements are sometimes referred to as Keps, short for Keplerian Elements, whilst TLE, is short for Two Line Elements and Elsets, is short for element sets.