🧭 Geospatial
Cesium
An open platform for high-precision 3D geospatial visualisation of Earth, space, and time-dynamic data.
Visit cesium.com →
3D geospatial platform
Trusted Public Sources
These organisations and platforms publish orbital data, space-environment research, and reference material that is widely cited across the space community.
🛰️ Orbital Data
Space-Track.org
A public service providing orbital element data and catalogue information widely referenced across the space domain.
Visit space-track.org →
Orbital elements & catalog
📚 Reference
CelesTrak
A long-standing orbital data and reference resource used in education, engineering, and research communities.
Visit celestrak.org →
Orbital reference resource
🧱 Debris
NASA ODPO
NASA's centre of expertise for studying and characterising the orbital debris environment.
Visit NASA ODPO →
Debris environment research
🛰️ Safety
ESA Space Debris Office
The European Space Agency's programme focused on space debris monitoring, modelling, and mitigation.
Visit ESA Space Debris →
Debris mitigation & safety
🌐 Policy
UNOOSA
The United Nations body promoting international cooperation and the peaceful use of outer space.
Visit unoosa.org →
International coordination
🛡️ Defence
U.S. Space Command
The U.S. military command responsible for space operations, including maintaining the public catalog of tracked objects via Space-Track.org.
Visit spacecom.mil →
Space operations & tracking
📊 Database
UCS Satellite Database
The Union of Concerned Scientists maintains a comprehensive, regularly updated database of active satellites in orbit, widely used in research and policy analysis.
Visit UCS Satellite Database →
Active satellite catalog
🌞 Space Weather
NOAA SWPC
NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center provides forecasts and real-time data on solar activity, geomagnetic storms, and ionospheric conditions that affect satellites and orbital dynamics.
Visit SWPC →
Solar & geomagnetic data
🚀 Launch Data
Jonathan McDowell's Space Report
A respected independent reference maintained by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, providing detailed launch logs, orbital catalogs, and historical space data.
Visit GCAT →
Independent launch & orbit records
🛰️ Satellite Data
N2YO
A public satellite tracking service providing real-time pass predictions, ground tracks, and orbital information for thousands of objects.
Visit n2yo.com →
Pass predictions & tracking
📡 Propagation
SGP4 / SDP4
The standard simplified perturbation models used globally for propagating TLE-based orbital elements. Originally developed by NORAD and maintained across the space domain.
SGP4 reference →
Orbit propagation model
How Orbital Radar Uses These Sources
Orbital Radar aggregates and cross-references publicly available data to build a live orbital picture. Orbital elements from catalogs like Space-Track and CelesTrak are propagated forward using SGP4/SDP4 models to produce real-time satellite and debris positions on the globe. Space weather data from NOAA SWPC provides atmospheric context that helps explain changes in drag and orbital behaviour.
For more on how this translates into live tracking, explore the SSA Guide, the Debris Tracking Guide, or learn interactively in the Orbital Academy.
Related library articles: What Is a TLE? · How Satellites Are Tracked · Space Debris Statistics · How Many Satellites Are in Orbit?
FAQ
Where does Orbital Radar get its data?
Orbital Radar uses publicly available orbital element data (primarily TLEs) from sources including Space-Track.org and CelesTrak. Space weather data comes from NOAA SWPC. All sources are listed on this page.
How often is the orbital data updated?
TLE data is refreshed regularly — typically multiple times per day. Positions on the live globe are propagated forward from the most recent TLE using standard SGP4/SDP4 models, so the visual motion is continuous even between updates.
Is this data suitable for operational decisions?
No. Orbital Radar is designed for education, research, and situational awareness. Operational decisions such as collision avoidance manoeuvres require specialist conjunction assessment services. See the Legal page for full disclaimers.
Can I access raw TLE data through Orbital Radar?
Orbital Radar does not redistribute raw TLE files. For direct TLE access, visit Space-Track.org or CelesTrak.