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