About SpaceTracker.live
Independent satellite and deep-space tracking tools with transparent data sources, educational explanations and clear accuracy limitations.
SpaceTracker.live is an independent educational platform built to make satellite tracking, observing geometry and deep-space mission data easier to understand from a normal web browser.
The site combines interactive tools with explanatory content so a visitor can do more than watch a marker move on a map. You can identify a spacecraft, inspect its calculated orbital position, set an observer location, compare passes, browse satellite groups and learn why Earth-orbit and deep-space tracking use different data systems.
What you can explore
For Earth orbit, start with the Satellite Directory, the ISS Live Tracker, Starlink, weather satellites or Satellites Above Me. If you want to plan an observing session, the Satellite Pass Predictions tool calculates rise, maximum-elevation and set geometry from your chosen location.
For missions that cannot be represented meaningfully with ordinary Earth-orbit element sets, the Deep Space Mission Tracker provides a separate experience for missions such as Voyager, JWST and selected interplanetary spacecraft. The site also includes Moon tools for phase, position, moonrise, moonset and eclipse context.
Why the site separates calculated tracking from direct telemetry
SpaceTracker.live does not communicate with spacecraft. Earth-orbit positions are mathematical estimates derived from public orbital-element records and propagated forward in time. Deep-space pages use ephemeris data from NASA/JPL Horizons. A value that updates every second in the browser can therefore look “live” while still being a calculation based on the latest available source data rather than a direct mission-control feed.
This distinction matters. A calculated ground position is useful for education and general observing, but it should not be treated as certified navigation, conjunction assessment, collision avoidance or spacecraft-operational data. Our How SpaceTracker.live Works page explains the data flow and limitations in detail.
Our data and attribution philosophy
SpaceTracker.live identifies the data sources used by its tracking tools. Depending on the feature, we use or reference CelesTrak orbital records, SGP4/SDP4 propagation models, NASA/JPL Horizons ephemerides, and Esri World Imagery satellite basemaps.
These sources serve different purposes. CelesTrak provides orbital records for Earth-orbiting objects, SGP4 calculates satellite positions, NASA/JPL Horizons supplies Solar System and spacecraft ephemerides, and Esri World Imagery provides satellite imagery for geographic map displays.
Content standards
Tracker pages are accompanied by original explanatory material describing what the tool calculates, how to interpret the numbers, common sources of confusion, relevant mission context and the limits of the data. The SpaceTracker.live Blog goes further with guides on satellite visibility, azimuth and elevation, pass prediction, orbital data, weather satellites and deep-space missions.
When a statement depends on an agency or data provider, we prefer to link to a primary or authoritative source. When a tracker shows a model-derived value, we describe it as calculated, propagated, estimated or ephemeris-derived rather than implying that it is direct spacecraft telemetry.
Accuracy and change over time
Spaceflight data are time-sensitive. Earth-orbit element sets age, satellites maneuver, newly launched objects may be identified gradually, mission status changes, and external services can be delayed or temporarily unavailable. For that reason, a tracker should be read together with its data-source and accuracy notes. Reloading a page after new source data arrive can legitimately change a predicted position or future pass.
Optical visibility is a separate problem. A spacecraft may be geometrically above your horizon but still be invisible because it is in Earth’s shadow, too faint, hidden by cloud or blocked by local terrain. Our tools distinguish geometric pass calculations from guaranteed naked-eye visibility.
Privacy and observer location
Observer-based tools need a location to calculate azimuth, elevation, range and local rise/set geometry. The site requests browser geolocation only when you choose Use My Location. You can also search for a city, town, village or place; the required coordinates are calculated automatically in the background. For details about location information, browser storage, analytics and advertising technologies, read the Privacy Policy.
Independence
SpaceTracker.live is an independent website. It is not operated by, endorsed by or affiliated with NASA, JPL, ESA, ISRO, CNSA, the U.S. Space Force, CelesTrak, SpaceX, Amazon, Eutelsat OneWeb, Esri or any other spacecraft operator or data provider unless a page explicitly states otherwise. Organization, mission and spacecraft names are used for identification and educational context.
Authoritative data references
Contact and corrections
If you find a tracker problem, incorrect spacecraft label, broken page or factual issue, please use the Contact SpaceTracker.live page. Helpful reports include the exact page URL, satellite or mission name, approximate time, device/browser and a short description of what you expected versus what you observed.