Find Elements and Data

Element Manager needs to be fed. It desires element sets to work on and perhaps the Satellite Situation Report to round out information about individual satellites and their siblings (objects carried into orbit with them).

Satellite Element Data

(If you want another site mentioned here let me know)

When Element Manager was written, the best source for elements was the Nasa Orbital Information Group's web site. However, the responsibility (post 9/11) has been moved into the hands of Space-Track. Their website is located at:

http://www.space-track.org

I recommend you bookmark the Login screen to Element Manager's "Launch Browser" screen.

Another excellent place to start is the "Visual Satellite Observer's" satellite element directory. They don't provide element sets, but link you to several locations that do. 

http://www.satobs.org/getkeps.html

By the way, "Visual Satellite Observer's Home Page": is located at:

http://www.satobs.org/satintro.html

Go there and you will find lots of good links to satellite tracking programs, observing tips, mailing lists that discuss the visual observing hobby.

Satellite Situation Report

Space-Track.org provides this report to inform users of the following information on each satellite:

The report also has a "box score" that tallies total in orbit and decayed objects. The report covers more than satellites too. All rocket bodies, launch platforms, debris as well as satellites are covered in this report.

Where is this report?

The Satellite Situation Report is available monthly at Space-Track.org.