ORBITAL SIMULATOR ⓘ

Controls Guide

Orbit Preset: Select a predefined satellite matching known datasets.
TLE Line 1 & 2: Core mechanics standard strings. Tip: Paste a full 2-line or 3-line block directly into Line 1 to auto-parse and fill both.
Sample Catalog Numbers: ISS — 25544, Hubble — 20580, Landsat-8 — 39084
Swath Width (km): Physical lateral width of the sweeping sensor footprint.
Along-Track: Pitch offset (degrees) aiming the sensor forward/backward along the flight path.
Cross-Track: Roll offset (degrees) aiming the sensor sideways perpendicular to the flight path.
Trailing Rotations: Number of orbital loops to retain in history.
Clear Trail: Instantly wipe cached sensor footprints.
Altitude Multiplier: Visual exaggeration scale for 3D visibility (does not alter physics).
Time Speed: Multiplier accelerating simulation physical time.
Show Borders: Toggles geographical vector boundary rendering.

TLE Format Guide ⓘ

A Two-Line Element (TLE) set strictly defines an orbit using 2 lines of mathematically compressed text metrics. You can paste complete data payloads directly into TLE Line 1 to auto-populate both identical datasets.

Line 1: Satellite Catalog Number, Classification, Epoch Time, and Atmospheric Drag variables.
Line 2: Real-time Keplerian Elements (Inclination, RAAN, Eccentricity, Argument of Perigee, Mean Anomaly, and Mean Motion / orbits per day).

TLE Field Breakdown ⓘ

Line 1 — Identification & Drag

Col 3-7: Satellite Catalog Number (NORAD ID)
Col 8: Classification (U = Unclassified)
Col 10-17: International Designator (launch year + number + piece)
Col 19-32: Epoch — Year (2 digits) + Day of Year with fractional time
Col 34-43: 1st Derivative of Mean Motion (drag rate, rev/day²)
Col 45-52: 2nd Derivative of Mean Motion (usually 0)
Col 54-61: BSTAR — Solar radiation / atmospheric drag coefficient
Col 63: Ephemeris Type (usually 0)
Col 65-68: Element Set Number
Col 69: Checksum (modulo 10 hash)

Line 2 — Keplerian Orbital Elements

Col 9-16: Inclination (deg) — Tilt of orbit vs. equator
Col 18-25: RAAN (deg) — Where plarne crosses equator northward
Col 27-33: Eccentricity (implied 0.) — Orbit shape (0 = circle)
Col 35-42: Arg of Perigee (deg) — Angle to lowest altitude point
Col 44-51: Mean Anomaly (deg) — Current position along orbit
Col 53-63: Mean Motion — Orbits per day (speed indicator)
Col 64-68: Revolution Number at Epoch
Col 69: Checksum (modulo 10 hash)

—

Identification

NORAD ID—

Intl Designator—

Country / Org—

Object Type—

RCS Size—

Epoch—

Orbital Parameters

Period—

Mean Motion—

Inclination—

RAAN—

Eccentricity—

Arg of Perigee—

Mean Anomaly—

Apogee—

Perigee—

BSTAR Drag—

Rev at Epoch—

00:00:00 IST

2026-01-01

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