SpaceX's Audacious Starship
As the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, it's designed for full reusability and rapid launch turnaround. SpaceX claims it could carry over 100 tons to low Earth orbit at a fraction of current costs.
Exploring Space has Never Been Easier
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 OperatorsPopup 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 classroomLearn 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 impactFree 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 impactVisualize 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.
Learn More
View all posts »From community resources to technical documentation, take a deep dive into the world of space and satellite tracking.
SGP4-XP: A Technical Leap in Satellite Tracking
The legacy Simplified General Perturbations 4 (SGP4) model has served the community well, but the introduction of the SGP4-XP (eXtended Perturbations) marks a notable advancement in the accuracy and reliability of orbital predictions.
Largest Satellite Debris Events
Space debris poses a mounting threat to both satellites and space missions. As we send more objects into orbit, the likelihood of collisions and subsequent breakups producing dangerous space debris increases. Recognizing the major events that have generated this dangerous space junk is pivotal in ensuring the safety of future space missions.
Gunter's Space Page
Gunter's Space Page is a leading source of information on spaceflight, satellites, and launch vehicles. Since its inception in 1996, Krebs has meticulously updated this platform, making it a go-to destination for space enthusiasts and professionals alike.
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 my own. 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 12 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.
Who Uses Keep Track?
Keep Track has been used in art, science, and defense across the globe. I am always looking for new collaborations, so please reach out if you are interested in incorporating my code into your project.
100K
Annual Users
2.4M
Downloads
178
Countries
1.9K
Updates
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.