🛰️ Live GNSS Tracker

📡 How to Use This Tracker

What This Display Shows

This tracker uses a compass/protractor design optimized for finding satellites in the real world, not just visualizing them.

Understanding the Display

• 0° = True North (top of circle)
• 90° = East, 180° = South, 270° = West
• Center = Horizon (0° elevation)
• Edge = Directly Overhead (90° elevation - zenith)
• Numbers in circles = Satellite reference IDs

How to Find a Satellite

Example: Satellite #5 shows at 137° azimuth, 45° elevation

1. Find the bearing: Use a compass (or sun compass on non-magnetic phones) and face 137° from True North
2. Look up: Tilt your head/antenna 45° above the horizon
3. That's where satellite #5 is!

Using a Sun Compass (No Magnetic Compass Needed)

If your phone doesn't have a magnetic compass:

1. Find True North using the sun's position and current time
2. Use the azimuth reading to find the satellite bearing
3. This method works anywhere on Earth!

Constellation Types

• [GPS] - USA Global Positioning System
• [GLO] - Russian GLONASS
• [GAL] - European Galileo
• [BDS] - Chinese BeiDou
• ★ - International Space Station (when visible)

Signal Strength Colors

• Green - Excellent signal (>40 dB)
• Light Green - Good signal (30-40 dB)
• Yellow - Fair signal (20-30 dB)
• Orange - Poor signal (10-20 dB)
• Red - Weak signal (<10 dB)

Practical Uses

• Aiming satellite dishes or antennas
• Amateur radio satellite tracking
• Understanding GPS/GNSS reception quality
• Educational demonstration of navigation satellites
• Field navigation and orientation

Tips for Best Results

• Allow location access for accurate calculations
• Higher elevation satellites = stronger signals
• Satellites below 10° elevation may be blocked by terrain/buildings
• Updates every 15 seconds with live orbital positions

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⚠️ Legal Disclaimer & Privacy Notice

Purpose of This Application

This GNSS tracking application displays real-time navigation satellite positions calculated from your device location and live orbital data from multiple global navigation satellite systems. Provided for informational, educational, and reference purposes only.

Data Processing & Privacy

This application processes location data to calculate visible satellites:

• Location accessed via browser geolocation API (with permission)
• Satellite orbital data from Open-Notify.org (ISS) and CelesTrak (TLE data for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou)
• All calculations performed locally in your browser using satellite.js orbital mechanics library
• No personal data stored on external servers

POPIA Compliance (South Africa)

Processing occurs in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013. Location data is used only for satellite calculations and is not stored or transmitted except to public APIs for orbital data retrieval.

Third-Party Services

This application uses:

• Open-Notify.org - Free ISS position API (no authentication)
• CelesTrak - Free satellite TLE data for GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou constellations
• satellite.js (cdnjs.cloudflare.com) - SGP4/SDP4 orbital mechanics calculations
• Refresh interval: 15 seconds

Third-party service availability, accuracy, and terms are beyond developer control.

Constellations Tracked

• GPS - United States Global Positioning System (~30 satellites)
• GLONASS - Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (~24 satellites)
• Galileo - European Union navigation system (~30 satellites)
• BeiDou - Chinese Navigation Satellite System (~35 satellites)
• ISS - International Space Station (when visible)

Accuracy & Limitations

Satellite data subject to GPS hardware limitations, API availability, network connectivity, TLE data accuracy, and orbital propagation approximations. Real-time orbital positions are calculated using SGP4 models which may have minor inaccuracies. Do not rely on this for critical navigation, safety, surveying, or life-dependent decisions.

No Warranty

Software provided "as is" without warranties of accuracy, reliability, or fitness for purpose.

Limitation of Liability

Developer not liable for incorrect readings, API failures, orbital calculation errors, or damages from reliance on displayed information.

Permitted Use

Informational, educational, and personal reference only.

Copyright & Licensing

© 2026 GNSS Position Tracker. South African copyright law. MIT License. Third-party data and libraries remain property of respective providers.

Last Updated: January 2026
Version: Live v3.0 (Multi-GNSS)

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