🛰️ Global Satellite Fleet
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. Our 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:
🛰️ What You Can Track
International Space Station
The brightest and fastest object in our night sky after the Moon, orbiting Earth every 90 minutes. See exactly where it is right now.
Starlink Satellites
SpaceX’s constellation of thousands of small satellites delivering global internet. Track multiple satellites streaking across the sky in formation.
Hubble Space Telescope
This iconic observatory has captured stunning images of distant galaxies for over 30 years. Follow its precise orbit relative to Earth.
James Webb Space Telescope
Hubble’s cutting-edge successor, orbiting near the second Lagrange point (L2). Our tracker shows a visual reference of its current position.
Earth Observation Satellites
Terra, Aqua, Landsat, NOAA, and GOES satellites — orbiting laboratories collecting data for climate monitoring and weather prediction.
GPS & Communication Satellites
The satellites powering navigation, mobile communications, and broadcasting. Their live positions are surprisingly fascinating to watch.
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.
FAQ
Use the live tracker above — it shows the current position of the ISS, Starlink satellites, Hubble, JWST, and other major satellites updated continuously using real orbital data.
The ISS’s live position is shown at the top of this page, including its current altitude, velocity, and latitude/longitude, updated in real time as it orbits Earth roughly every 90 minutes.
Starlink satellites often appear as a “train” of lights moving in formation shortly after a launch, before spreading out into their final orbits. Use the tracker above to see current Starlink positions and formations.
Satellites in Low Earth Orbit, like the ISS and Starlink, travel at roughly 7.6–7.8 km/s to maintain orbit — fast enough to circle the entire planet in about 90 to 95 minutes.
LEO satellites orbit within 2,000 km of Earth and move quickly across the sky, while geostationary satellites orbit at about 35,786 km and stay fixed over one point on Earth, matching its rotation.
Yes — the ISS is the brightest satellite visible to the naked eye, appearing as a fast-moving, steady light (no blinking, unlike aircraft) during dawn or dusk when it’s still lit by the Sun.
JWST orbits near the second Lagrange point (L2), about 1.5 million km from Earth — far beyond where the ISS or Starlink orbit. The tracker above shows its current position for reference.