Exploring Space has Never Been Easier

Keep Track 8 Preview

Features

What can Keep Track do?

The only astrodynamics tool designed for non-engineers.

Small Package

The core app is 7 Mb and loads in 2 seconds. With addons it is only 18 Mb! It is also completely free and open source.

Blazing Fast

2.5 million pieces of debris can be simulated with SGP4 at 60 frames per second on consumer hardware.

Custom Code

This is not another app built with Cesium and satellite.js. Keep Track is built from the ground up with custom WebGL shaders and a high-performance render loop.

Satellite Data

Keep Track has a database of over 30,000 satellites and debris objects including information about their orbit, design, and operators.

Sensor Data

Pick from a list of sensors to see what a radar or telescope can see. You can also create your own sensor and see what it can see.

Breakups

Simulate a breakup event in three clicks and see how the debris spreads out over time.

New Launch Simulator

See what a new launch looks like from anywhere on Earth. Then quickly calculate which sensors can see it and when it's visible.

Visualize Debris

Visualize debris patterns and see how they change over time. You can also see how many objects are in orbit and how they are distributed.

Search the Catalog

Search for a satellite by name, NORAD ID, or international designator. Filter by country, type, orbit, bus, and more.

Open Source

As an open source project, you can also engage with the developer community, contribute code, and help shape the future of Keep Track.

From the classroom to the control room, Keep Track has you covered.

Flexible and Powerful

Operations Centers

Designed by a Space Operator for Space Operators

Popup Alerts

Build a list of satellites you want to track and get popup alerts when a satellite is about to pass through a sensor field of view.

Answers in Seconds

Finding out when sensors will see a priority satellite is only a few clicks and involves no math or spreadsheets!

Plan Ahead

Simulating a new launch is as easy as picking a similar satellite and clicking the New Launch button. Mission planning has never been easier.

Education

Simplified and streamlined for the classroom

Learn Through Interaction

Explore the app's features and capabilities through a hands-on experience, making learning fun and engaging.

AAA Video Game Quality

The app is built using custom shaders and 3D models. It is designed to be as beautiful as it is functional.

Xbox Controller Support

Use an Xbox controller to control the app. This is great for presentations and demonstrations.

Outreach

Convey your message with clarity and impact

Free for your Website

You can embed the app on your website for free. Everything is AGPL licensed and open source.

Explain Your Mission

Show your customers what your satellite will look like in orbit before you launch it.

3D Model Support

Use one of the many 3D models available in the app or load your own satellite model.

Debris

Explain the problem with clarity and impact

Visualize the Problem

Show your audience the problem of space debris. You can show them how many objects are in orbit and how they are distributed.

Explain How You Will Help

Show how your mission will help improve the problem of space debris.

Estimated Objects

Visualize the debris we aren't tracking. You can use ESA estimates and see the millions of objects we can't track consistently.

From community resources to technical documentation, take a deep dive into the world of space and satellite tracking.

When Will SpaceX Go Public?

When Will SpaceX Go Public?

As SpaceX continues to make groundbreaking advancements in the space industry, investors are eagerly anticipating the company's potential IPO. Learn about the factors influencing SpaceX's decision to go public and the estimated timeline for this highly anticipated event.

Starlink Update: March 2024

Starlink Update: March 2024

As of March 2024, SpaceX's Starlink has made remarkable strides in its quest to provide global broadband internet access. With an astounding number of satellites already in orbit and ambitious plans for expansion, Starlink is on track to dominate Earth's orbit in the coming years.

The Space Station Space Race

The Space Station Space Race

As the International Space Station nears retirement, private companies are stepping up to fill the void with their own space stations. Discover the key players and the potential impact on space exploration.

17 Dec 2023 Space TL;DR

17 Dec 2023 Space TL;DR

Rocket Lab's successful Electron return to flight, China's third Shenlong mission, lessons from Virgin Orbit's failure in the UK, Hubble's 30-year post-repair anniversary, and a summary of recent global launches.

Exploring SpaceX's Ownership and Future

Exploring SpaceX's Ownership and Future

A look into SpaceX's journey, ownership structure, and the leadership of Elon Musk. Discover how this private space venture has revolutionized the industry and its potential trajectory into the future.

SpaceX and Starlink

SpaceX and Starlink

This article delves into SpaceX's incredible journey from its inception to becoming a space industry leader, and its Starlink project's mission to provide global internet access.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Space is hard. Some of these answers will hopefully make it a little easier.

How do I get started?

You can start by clicking the 'Launch App' button at the top-right of the page. There is no account required to use the app, just click the button and start exploring!

Why Did You Make This?

When I was a Lieutenant in the Air Force, I was responsible for tracking satellites. I was frustrated with the 1970s technology I had to use, so I decided to build a better tool. I hope you find it useful!

Why is it free?

I'm a big believer in open source software. I think it's the best way to build software. I also think that space should be free and open to everyone. I hope that by making this app free, it will help people learn about space and satellites.

What do I do if I find a bug or have a feature request?

Please let me know! I am always looking for ways to improve the app. You can add an issue on GitHub or send me an email at [email protected].

Is this really accurate?

Yes! Keep Track relies on the Orbital Object Toolkit (also free) and that is tested against USSPACECOM's official algorithms. The results are within 1mm of the official results.

Can I use my own catalog?

Of course! You can load your own TLEs by passing the url as a parameter like this:

https://keeptrack.space/app/?tle=https://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/active.txt

This is still a bit experimental, so please let me know if you have any issues.

Is there a tutorial?

Not yet, but if you press shift + F1 in the app, it will give you an explanation of the screen/menu you are currently using. I hope to have a full tutorial soon.

How can I access the app offline or on a mobile device?

You can download the app from the GitHub repository. It is already built and ready to go. Just download the zip file and extract it. There is a batch file that will start the app in chrome without any server required.

How can I learn more about the physics and mathematics behind orbital mechanics and satellite tracking?

I have started making a resources section on the website. You can find it here. If there is something specific you would like to see, please let me know.

How can I compare the orbits of different satellites and see their relative positions and velocities?

Just select any satellite and then highlgiht the other satellites you want to compare. You can also use the "Set Secondary Satellite" option in the right click menu to continuously compare two satellites.

How often is the satellite database updated?

The TLEs are sourced from multiple websites and then the database is updated every 8 hours. Additional information about the satellites is sourced from twenty different websites and processed by the server daily.

Is there any premium version available with extra features?

No. There is no paywall or premium version. Everything is free and open source. I do not plan on adding a premium version in the future. There are some features that are only available in the desktop version, but that is because they require a lot of processing power. There are also some features that are very technical and lack documentation so I have them hidden by default, but the code is still there and you can enable them if you want.

How do I collaborate or integrate Keep Track with my own project?

If you want to collaborate, please reach out to me at this email. If you have a non-commerical project, I am happy to help and would love to hear about it. Some of the best features in the app were inspired by users.

How can I customize the appearance and settings of the app to suit my preferences?

The most common settings are available under the settings menu (its a gear icon). If you have downloaded it you can override any setting by editing the settingsOverride.js file. For more advanced customization, you can edit the source code and build anything you want.

How can I export or share the data or images from the app with others?

There is a built in screenshot feature that allows you to save images of the app. Most menus have an export to CSV option. You can also export the entire database to CSV. If there is something specific you want to export, please let me know and I will add a new export option.

Cosmos Archeology

In November 2022 I had the privellage of participating in an exhibit at The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). The exhibit was called Cosmos Archeology and it was a collaboration between EPFL’s Laboratory for Experimental Museology (eM+) and Laboratory of Astrophysics (LASTRO). The goal was to provide a series of custom immersive interfaces specifically for astrophysical data, in the form of interactive data simulation and visualization, immersive projections, 3D film and augmented reality.

A Million-Year Picnic

In January 2024, my animated satellite visualizations were featured in "A Million-Year Picnic - Conversations on Mars," an innovative theatre experience at the Théâtre de Vidy in Lausanne, Switzerland, directed by filmmaker Pauline Julier.

Espace Ballon

Reopened in 2024, Espace Ballon invites you to discover the hot air balloon adventures from every angle. Learn about the 1st non-stop world tour of the Breitling Orbiter. From Icarus to Piccard, let yourself be carried away by the history of the lighter than the air.

The team there was kind enough to let me participate in thier "Altitudes" exhibit with a short film entitled, "Human Debris in Space 1957-2024" that explores some specific events over the last 60 years of space exploration and the altitudes at which they occurred.
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Keep Track

Whether you're curious about orbital mechanics, passionate about space sustainability, or want to visualize and track humanity's footprint in space, there's something for everyone in Keep Track.

Find out why so many people are using it to explore space.