Project Title#
Satellite visualiser using celestrak.org written in Python.
What the Project Is#
- Tracks any satellite/group of satellites (currently configured for space stations).
How It Works#
- API call to Celestrak returns OMM JSON data.
- Propagates orbit forward from TLE epoch to current time.
- Converts coordinate frames into Earth latitude/longitude.
- Applies GST rotation to account for Earth's rotation.
- Displays this on a equirectangular image of the Earth.
Tech Stack#
- Languages: Python
- Libraries: matplotlib, requests
- Tools: Celestrak
What I Learned#
- API calling
- Advanced matplotlib
- Keplerian orbital mechanics
- Co-ordinate frame translation
- Orbital predictions
Project Structure#
├── LICENSE.md
├── README.md
├── images
│ └── Blue_Marble_2002.jpg
├── main.py
├── propagator.py
├── requirements.txt
└── visualiser.py
How to Run the Project#
git clone https://github.com/liampallett/satellite_visualiser.git
pip install -r requirements.txt
python main.py
Future Improvements#
- Better UI styling
- SGP4 implementations
- Pass predictions
- Live TLE refreshing
- Multi-satellite trail mode