Satellite Tracker – All Satellites Live

Live Satellite Tracker – Track ISS, Starlink, and More in Real Time

If you’ve ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what satellites are passing overhead, you’re not alone. Satellites are silently orbiting Earth, powering communications, weather forecasting, GPS navigation, and even exploring the far reaches of space. For astronomy enthusiasts, tech lovers, and curious minds alike, a live satellite tracker opens up a window into this fascinating orbital world. Our new interactive satellite tracker is designed to give you real-time positions of major satellites including the International Space Station (ISS), Starlink satellites, Hubble Space Telescope, JWST, and other prominent Earth-observing and communications satellites.

What You Can Track with Our Live Satellite Tracker

Our satellite tracker includes a wide array of objects that appeal to both casual observers and satellite enthusiasts:

1. ISS (International Space Station) – The brightest and fastest object in our night sky after the Moon, orbiting Earth every 90 minutes. With our tracker, you can see exactly where it is at any given moment.
2. Starlink Satellites – SpaceX’s ambitious constellation of thousands of small satellites providing global internet coverage. Track multiple Starlink satellites simultaneously as they streak across the sky in formation.
3. Hubble Space Telescope – This iconic observatory has been capturing stunning images of distant galaxies for over 30 years. Follow Hubble’s precise orbit and see where it is relative to Earth.
4. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) – The cutting-edge successor to Hubble, orbiting near the second Lagrange point (L2). While its orbit is much farther from Earth, our tracker gives a visual reference of its current position in the solar system.
5. Earth Observation Satellites – Including Terra, Aqua, Landsat, NOAA weather satellites, and GOES satellites. These orbiting laboratories collect crucial data for climate monitoring, weather predictions, and environmental research.
6. GPS and Communication Satellites – Track satellites that power navigation, mobile communications, and broadcasting. Knowing their live positions can be surprisingly fascinating.

With these satellites included, our tracker provides a complete and diverse satellite experience for anyone interested in space or technology.

The Mechanics of Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Most of the satellites featured on this tracker, including the ISS and the Starlink constellation, operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). LEO is defined as the region of space within 2,000 kilometers of Earth’s surface. Because these satellites are relatively close to the planet, they must maintain immense orbital velocities—typically around 7.6 to 7.8 kilometers per second—to prevent gravity from pulling them back into the atmosphere. This high velocity results in very short orbital periods, allowing the ISS, for example, to circle the entire globe in approximately 90 to 95 minutes.

Orbital Inclination and Ground Tracks

The path a satellite carves across the Earth’s surface is known as its “ground track,” and it is primarily determined by its orbital inclination. A satellite’s inclination is the angle of its orbit relative to the Earth’s equator. The ISS, for instance, operates at an inclination of 51.6 degrees, which allows it to pass over a large portion of the inhabited world. In contrast, satellites with a 0-degree inclination stay perfectly over the equator, while polar-orbiting satellites pass over the North and South Poles, effectively scanning the entire planet as the Earth rotates beneath them.

Distinguishing LEO from Geostationary Orbits

While our tracker focuses heavily on LEO satellites, it is important to distinguish them from geostationary satellites. Geostationary satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers, which matches the Earth’s rotational period. This means they appear “fixed” over a single point on the Earth’s surface, making them ideal for constant broadcast coverage. In contrast, LEO satellites like Starlink or the Hubble Space Telescope are in constant, rapid motion relative to the ground. This constant movement is why we use the SGP4 (Simplified General Perturbations) propagator to calculate their real-time positions with high accuracy.

The Role of Drag and Orbital Decay

Even in the vacuum of space, LEO satellites are subject to trace amounts of atmospheric molecules. Over time, this atmospheric drag exerts a subtle braking force, causing the satellite’s altitude to gradually decrease—a process known as orbital decay. This is why the ISS requires periodic “reboosts” using docked spacecraft to maintain its altitude. For smaller satellites or debris, drag can lead to an uncontrolled re-entry, where the object eventually heats up and vaporizes upon hitting the thicker layers of the atmosphere. Tracking these objects in real-time allows us to observe the delicate balance between momentum and gravity that keeps our orbital infrastructure aloft.

Real-Time Visualization Brings Satellites to Life

One of the most compelling aspects of our tracker is the live map view. Instead of reading abstract data, you can see satellites move across a world map, orbiting Earth in real time. This visualization adds context to what would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. For instance:

• Watch Starlink trains fly across the night sky in formation.
• Observe the ISS passing over major cities.
• Track Hubble as it surveys distant galaxies, orbit after orbit.
• Check when NOAA satellites are overhead to anticipate satellite images and weather data.

The dynamic movement, combined with interactive popups and zooming capabilities, makes our tracker a highly engaging tool for learning about satellite orbits and space technology.