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Artificial Satellites

Missions

READY TO BECOME A SATELLITE TRACKER?

Finding a satellite crossing your sky is easier than ever with the Scientific Events Predictions page. This page will use your observing location and a chosen time to determine which satellites will be overhead within the next hour. Observing any of the targets provided will help to build the collection of data necessary to draw conclusions about the effect the upcoming wave of satellites will have on the night sky.

Occasionally more targeted campaigns will be available that focus on specific satellites. You can find out more about available campaigns in the section below.

Access the Scientific Events Predictions
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Targeted Campaigns

Tanager-1
Tanager-1 is a satellite that launched on August 16th that will track and monitor carbon dioxide and methane emissions across the globe. Owned and designed by Planet Labs, the Unistellar Citizen Science Network has been asked to observe this satellite from launch to final orbit. The goal of the campaign is to characterize the satellite's brightness in order to provide feedback on Planet Lab's mitigation techniques and inform future satellite designs.
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The blue shaded regions are areas of the world where Tanager-1 will appear in the night sky while also outside of the Earth's shadow. This map updates every 6 hours so that users can tell at a glance whether they should plan to observe or not. If you think Tanager-1 will cross your night sky, check the Science Events Predictions web page to confirm!

CTC-0
CTC-0 is part of a decentralized satellite constellation providing 5G internet globally. They also have a satellite tracker on their website. If you observe this satellite grab a screenshot of the webpage around the time it passes over head and send it to us!
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The blue shaded regions are areas of the world where CTC-0 will appear in the night sky while also outside of the Earth’s shadow. This map updates every 6 hours so that users can tell at a glance whether they should plan to observe or not.

ARMSAT1
ArmSat is Armenia’s first satellite, which was launched into orbit in May 2022:
  • Name: Urdaneta-ARMSAT-1, part of the Urdaneta-Armsat series of nanosatellites
  • Launch date: May 25, 2022, from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket
  • Purpose: A wide range of uses, including border control, natural disaster management, and geology
  • Features: 16U CubeSat with an iSIM-90 optical instrument, deployable solar panels, and a total mass of 16.4 kg
  • Lifetime: Designed to have a nominal lifetime of at least four years in heliosynchronous orbit at 530 km altitude
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The blue shaded regions denote where ARMSAT1 will be visible from over an 8 hour period. This map updates every 6 hours so be sure to check back even if it isn’t visible in your area right now.

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NEW HERE?

Head to our Tutorial for guidance on how to master your Unistellar telescope and join the Satellite Trackers. If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected].