English / Japanese
Google Sat Track (GST) shows the current position of the International Space Station (or various satellites in earth orbit) on Google Maps in real-time. Just open the page with your web browser and the map will center on the satellite's current location.
The only user requirement is an accurately set computer clock. If your clock is off by one minute, the satellite's location will be off by about 400 km!
Please note GoogleSatTrack is NOT a Google product. This site uses the "Google Maps API," which allows use of Google Maps for independent projects.
features of GST 3.0GST3 uses the SGP4 algorithm, one of the most accurate methods available to predict satellite positions. Under ideal conditions (with the latest orbital data and an accurate clock), SGP4 has an accuracy of 0.1 degree in latitude and longitude (about 10 km on the equator). GST3 updates the orbital elements of the ISS (or other pre-set satellites) automatically. The position of the satellite is re-calculated every second.
GST3 displays the boundary of day and night (terminator) on the map with night-shading style or line-only style. The terminator is updated every 5 minutes.
GTS3 shows the next 270 minutes of the target satellite's ground track, updated every 5 minutes.
By defining NORAD two-line elements (manually entered, pasted in or selected from a list), you can track any low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. Click the checkbox labeled "advanced options."
Because of limitations in the algorithms, high-altitude satellites with orbital periods longer than 225 minutes (altitudes higher than 5800 km in circular orbits) may not be accurately positioned. This will be addressed soon.
Not yet, but perhaps soon.
Isana Kashiwai. Male. 1973. Tokyo, Japan. Huge fan of science. An editor of science books.
email : isana.k[at]gmail.com