ISSTracker

ISS Tracker 🚀

Know where the International Space Station (ISS) is at all times with this real-time tracking application. Follow the ISS as it orbits Earth, get notifications for visible passes, and explore detailed orbital information.

🌍 Live Demo

Try it now: https://joefabre.github.io/ISSTracker/

✨ Features

🛰️ Real-Time ISS Tracking

• Live Position: Track the ISS current location over Earth
• Orbital Path: Visualize the complete orbital trajectory
• Speed & Altitude: Real-time telemetry data
• Next Pass Predictions: Know when ISS will be visible from your location

🌎 Interactive World Map

• 3D Earth Visualization: Beautiful globe with ISS position overlay
• Zoom & Pan: Explore different regions of Earth
• Day/Night Cycle: See which parts of Earth are in daylight
• Ground Track: Historical and predicted ISS path

📍 Location-Based Features

• Your Location: Automatic detection of user location
• Visibility Predictions: When will ISS be visible overhead
• Pass Alerts: Notifications for upcoming visible passes
• Elevation & Azimuth: Precise viewing angles for optimal observation

📊 Detailed Information

• Orbital Data: Period, velocity, altitude, and inclination
• Crew Information: Current astronauts aboard the ISS
• Mission Timeline: Launch schedules and mission updates
• Educational Content: Learn about the ISS and space exploration

🔔 Smart Notifications

• Pass Alerts: Get notified before ISS becomes visible
• Customizable Timing: Set alerts 5, 10, or 30 minutes before passes
• Weather Integration: Check if viewing conditions are favorable
• Timezone Support: Accurate local time calculations

🛠️ Getting Started

Option 1: Online Web App (Recommended)

Simply visit https://joefabre.github.io/ISSTracker/ in your web browser for instant access!

Option 2: iOS App Installation

1. Download from App Store (if available)
2. Or build from source:

   git clone https://github.com/joefabre/ISSTracker.git
   cd ISSTracker
   # Open ISSTracker.xcodeproj in Xcode
   # Build and run on iOS device or simulator
   

📖 How to Use

Track the ISS

1. Open the Application
   • Launch the ISS Tracker on your device
   • Allow location permissions for best experience
2. View Current Position
   • See the ISS location marked on the world map
   • Watch as it moves in real-time across Earth
   • Check current altitude, speed, and orbital data
3. Find Visible Passes
   • Navigate to the “Visible Passes” section
   • See upcoming opportunities to spot the ISS
   • Get detailed viewing instructions (direction, timing, brightness)
4. Set Up Alerts
   • Enable notifications for upcoming passes
   • Choose how far in advance you want to be notified
   • Never miss a spectacular ISS flyover again!

Understanding ISS Visibility

What Makes ISS Visible?

• Sunlight Reflection: ISS must be in sunlight while you’re in darkness
• Altitude: ISS passes high enough above the horizon
• Duration: Visible passes typically last 2-6 minutes
• Brightness: Can be as bright as Venus or even brighter

Best Viewing Conditions

• Time: 1-2 hours after sunset or before sunrise
• Weather: Clear skies with minimal cloud cover
• Location: Away from bright city lights for best visibility
• Magnitude: Brighter passes (lower magnitude numbers) are easier to see

🌟 ISS Facts & Information

About the International Space Station

• Altitude: ~408 km (254 miles) above Earth
• Speed: ~27,600 km/h (17,150 mph)
• Orbital Period: ~93 minutes per orbit
• Size: About the size of a football field
• Crew: Typically 3-6 astronauts from multiple countries

Mission Highlights

• Continuous Habitation: Occupied since November 2000
• International Cooperation: Partnership between NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA
• Scientific Research: Hundreds of experiments conducted in microgravity
• Educational Outreach: Regular communication with schools and students

🔧 Technical Details

Data Sources

• NASA Open Data: Real-time ISS telemetry
• TLE Data: Two-Line Element sets for orbital calculations
• Weather APIs: Viewing condition assessments
• Timezone APIs: Accurate local time calculations

Platform Compatibility

• iOS: iPhone and iPad (iOS 12.0+)
• Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
• Mobile Responsive: Optimized for mobile viewing
• Offline Capability: Basic tracking when offline

Technology Stack

• iOS: Swift, UIKit, Core Location, MapKit
• Web: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript ES6+
• APIs: NASA ISS API, Open Notify API
• Mapping: Interactive web maps with satellite overlays

📱 Features by Platform

iOS App Features

• Native iOS interface with smooth animations
• Background app refresh for continuous tracking
• Push notifications for pass alerts
• Camera integration for ISS photography planning
• Apple Watch companion app (future feature)

Web App Features

• Cross-platform compatibility
• No installation required
• Real-time updates via WebSocket
• Responsive design for all screen sizes
• PWA capabilities for offline use

🌌 Educational Resources

Learning About Space

• ISS Mission Overview: Understanding the purpose and goals
• Orbital Mechanics: How and why the ISS stays in orbit
• Life in Space: Daily activities of astronauts
• Space Photography: Tips for capturing ISS images

Astronomy Integration

• Star Charts: Constellation maps for better sky orientation
• Planet Tracking: See other planets during ISS passes
• Satellite Identification: Distinguish ISS from other satellites
• Astrophotography: Equipment and techniques for space imaging

🚀 Future Enhancements

Planned Features

• Crew Rotation Tracking: Follow astronaut missions
• Solar Panel Angle Visualization: Detailed ISS orientation
• Historical Pass Archive: Review past ISS sightings
• Social Sharing: Share ISS photos and sightings
• Augmented Reality: Point phone at sky to locate ISS

Advanced Features

• Multiple Satellite Tracking: Hubble, Dragon, Soyuz
• Launch Notifications: Upcoming missions to ISS
• Weather Integration: Cloud cover and visibility forecasts
• Photography Mode: Camera settings for ISS imaging
• Community Features: Connect with other ISS watchers

🤝 Contributing

Interested in space exploration and app development? Contribute to ISS Tracker:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/space-enhancement)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add stellar feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/space-enhancement)
5. Open a Pull Request

Contribution Ideas

• Additional satellite tracking capabilities
• Enhanced 3D visualization
• International space station facts and trivia
• Integration with telescope control software
• Amateur radio ISS communication features

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• NASA: For providing open access to ISS data and imagery
• ISS Crew: Astronauts who inspire us to look up
• Space Community: Amateur astronomers and space enthusiasts worldwide
• Open Notify API: For reliable ISS tracking data
• International Partners: ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, CSA for ISS collaboration

🔗 Resources

Space Tracking Resources

• NASA ISS Tracker - Official NASA ISS tracking
• Heavens Above - Comprehensive satellite tracking
• N2YO - Real-time satellite tracking
• ISS HD Earth Viewing - Live ISS camera feeds

Space Education

• NASA Education - Educational resources
• ESA Education - European Space Agency learning materials
• Space Station Research - Current ISS experiments

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Look up and explore the cosmos! 🌌

Track the ISS and connect with space exploration at https://joefabre.github.io/ISSTracker/