Satellite Database
The Satellite database is the list of all satellites currently in
the program's memory, up to a limit of 500.
Satellite data (
keplerian element sets)
enters the program from three sources:
* From published data, such as bulletin files, containing
NASA 2-line
or
AMSAT Kep
orbital elements, or
state vector
data.
* From the
initialization file,
created with
Setup:Save Settings.
This contains the settings for the Map Windows.
* By manual entry or modification in the
Satellite Information Window.
Options for automatic
modifications
of certain kinds are also provided. See
Hints
for some ideas about how to use this.
The
initialization file
and the last-saved
kep
or
2-line
file are both loaded at startup. For users who need data from multiple kep or
2-line files, the
File:Save As
option provides a way to make a composite 2-line file.
Multiple entries for a single satellite are permitted, for those who wish to
compare different element sets. Thus, some care must be taken to be sure the
correct elements are selected from the list (check the epoch time or set
number).
At present, the list may be reduced by clicking
Delete
to remove an obsolete set (unless it is in use in a Map Window). No sorting or
other editing is permitted. However, the file is a standard text file, and can
be edited with any text editor such as Windows NotePad.
NOTE: the AMSAT and NASA formats do not include all of the same information.
In addition, some information, such as the Beacon Frequency for doppler and
path-loss calculations, or the
attitude information
for squint calculations, is not included in the standard element sets. Such
information must be manually entered, and is saved only in the
initialization file,
and only for the satellites associated with Map Windows.
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