Satellite Tracker

Pangolin

  Overview

The Tracker is a general purpose satellite tracking program intended for tracking and plotting the positions of many different types of satellites for uses ranging from meteorology, communications, image reception and amateur radio. Screen displays include space views where the satellites are on a world map and Earth views showing satellites against a background of stars. The program can also compute operational prediction data for satellites passing within range of a particular Earth station. eg times of acquisition and loss, maximum elevation and rising and setting azimuths.

To plot satellites the Tracker needs to be loaded with Kepler parameters. These are terms that provide a mathematical description of the orbit and are available in standard text format from various sources. Keplers need to be periodically refreshed and for computers with a web connection, Tracker has the ability to download these directly from the internet.

Tracker's main view screens
Tracker's principle screen shows a view of the earth from space with satellites tracked against a world map background. It's shown below although in this case, the world chart is reduced in size to fit more comfortably on this page:

The Tracker can plot up to 4 satellites simultaneously which can be selected from an unlimited number stored on its current data file. As with Tracker's other views, the Dialog bar at the bottom of the screen shows the predicted elevations, azimuths and times of acquisition and loss of signals from the selected satellites. These are valid for the earth station at the position indicated by the bull's eye (ie. Southern California in the above example) which is also shown on the status bar. For marine stations constantly on the move, the bull's eye can be easily moved by simply dragging and dropping it with the mouse. Although not shown in the above, as an option, the world chart can be marked with the positions and names of major cities and islands.   

This and other Tracker views can be selected from the view menu or more simply from the view change buttons on the main toolbar.

  Sky View
This view shows a plot of satellites against a background of stars in the sky. In this screen shot you can click on parts where appears to see more details. Stars and planets can be easily identified by placing the mouse cursor over their centre causing their name to appear. 

Horizon view
This view plots satellites against a background of stars visible from your own horizon. During hours of darkness the background is black as below, but turns to dark grey during twilight and light grey during daylight. The horizon selector allows you to select north, south, east or west horizons and once again, placing the mouse cursor over star or planet centres causes their name tag to appear:

Satellite pass predictions
The final Tracker view gives satellite passes over the next 24 hours. The base time and date can be reset so future passes for days or even weeks ahead can be computed. The page can be printed out as an easy off-line reference.

Recommended minimum computer requirements:

		Processor speed 400MHz
		Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, XP or Vista.
		4 Mbytes RAM + 2 Mbytes hard drive space.

Download a 30 day trial NOW

  PRICE: Satellite Tracker - US$40

Site Licences

For educational establishments and commercial users such as charter or fishing fleets and port operators, please ask about special terms for group users. E-mail: Pangolin tech support

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