OrbitTools Track Library

The OrbitTools Libraries
NORAD SGP4/SDP4 Implementations in C++ and C#
by
Michael F. Henry

The OrbitTools Track Library

The OrbitTools Track Library is a companion library to the OrbitTools SGP4/SDP4 libraries. It builds on the features of the SGP4/SDP4 libraries and provides implementations of common satellite tracking software tasks. Useful for implementing satellite tracking in both 3-D and 2-D presentation software, the functionality includes:

Fast, accurate satellite pass-prediction calculations
Ground track coordinate determination
Orbit track coordinate determination
Satellite nadir information

The Track Library is only available to customers who obtain a licensed copy of either the Standard or Professional Edition of the OrbitTools SGP4/SDP4 libraries. It is not available for use with the Public Edition.

Note: The Track Library is currently only available in C#.

Track Library Resources

Explore the resources below to learn more about how the Track Library can be used to simplify the job of developing high-quality, feature-rich, satellite tracking software.

C# Source Code Example #1 - Satellite Pass Predictions
Pass predictions tell you when a satellite will be above a particular location on Earth, and generating accurate predictions is expected of all modern tracking software. However, writing prediction code can be a big challenge. Click here to see how using the Track Library makes this a trivial task.

C# Source Code Example #2 - Satellite Ground Track
Another common task of satellite tracking software is determining the ground track. A ground track is the set of points on the surface of the earth where a satellite will be directly over head as it progresses in its orbit. Click here to see the example code.

Compiled HTML Help File
orbitTools.Track.chm (190 KB, Feb 05, 2012) - This help file was created from the XML documentation comments in the Track Library C# source code. It describes all the major classes, methods, and types the library provides. Download this file and view it using the standard Windows help file viewer.
Note: For security reasons, you cannot download a .chm file from the web and then view the file locally without first "unblocking" it. To unblock the downloaded file, right-click on the file in Windows File Explorer and select Properties. Then click Unblock.