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- | ====== Tracking satellites with Orbitron ====== | + | ====== Tracking of satellites with the help of Orbitron ====== |
- | Orbitron allows you to get the flight schedule of spacecraft. | + | Orbitron allows users to get a schedule of satellite overflights. |
{{:en:image_20.png?600|}} | {{:en:image_20.png?600|}} | ||
- | The main elements of the interface are the list of spacecraft (right), the image of the projections of the positions of the vehicles and orbits on | + | The main elements of the interface are represented by the list of spacecraft units (right), image of satellite location projections and orbits on the Earth map (top), controls (bottom) and images of units over the horizon at the bottom right. The clock and program status signals are also displayed in the right part. The "Main" tab contains the control box, where a user can select time for which the display shows "currently" for the current time and "simulation" for any arbitrary time value. The latter mode makes it very convenient to check how a satellite will move across the sky during a certain session. A user can also choose between displaying local time and UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). It is very important that the software applies up-to-date data about orbit parameters. It is desirable to update such data at least once a week and before important sessions. In order to implement correct operation of the software it is necessary, that the time zone and exact time are set correctly in the computer. A user can check if the time is set correctly at https://time.is |
- | Earth map (top), controls (bottom) and the image of devices above the horizon | + | |
- | bottom right. The clock and program status signals are also displayed on the right. On the bookmark | + | |
- | “Main” in the control unit, you can select the time for which | + | |
- | the display is “now”, that is, for the current time, and “simulation” - that is, for any | + | |
- | arbitrary time. The latter mode allows you to very conveniently check how | + | |
- | the device will move across the sky during the session. You can also choose between | + | |
- | display of local time and UTC (single coordinated time). | + | |
- | It is very important that the program has fresh data on the parameters of the orbits. It is advisable to update them at least once a week, and | + | |
- | also before responsible sessions. | + | |
- | For the program to work correctly, it is necessary that the computer is correctly | + | |
- | set the time zone and set the exact time. | + | |
- | Checking the correct time setting can be done on the site https://time.is | + | |
- | ===== Configure Orbitron ===== | + | ===== Orbitron configuration ===== |
- | Launch the Orbitron program. | + | Carry out Orbitron launching. |
+ | During the first launch, the software prompts a user to update the satellite position from the Internet, i.e. using the TLE data. | ||
+ | Click the “Yes” button. | ||
- | At the first start, the program will offer to update from the Internet information about the location of the satellites - TLE data. | ||
- | Click on the Yes button. | + | {{:en:orbitron_1.png?300|}} |
- | {{:image001.png?400}} | + | Click the button with a lightning bolt. |
- | + | ||
- | Press the zipper button. | + | |
{{:en:image_21.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_21.png?500|}} | ||
- | Wait for the TLE to update and click OK. | + | Wait for TLE update performance and click OK. |
{{:en:image_22.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_22.png?500|}} | ||
- | Now set the date and time format. | + | Set the date and time format. |
{{:en:image_23.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_23.png?500|}} | ||
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Close the settings window. | Close the settings window. | ||
- | When you first start the program starts in full screen mode. Turn it off. | + | The first time the software is started, it is launched in the full screen mode. Deactivate this mode. |
{{:en:image_24.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_24.png?500|}} | ||
- | Set your current location. | + | Select your current location. |
{{:en:image_25.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_25.png?500|}} | ||
- | The exact value of your location can be determined on the map https://www.google.com/maps. | + | You can find exact coordinates of your location on the map at https://www.google.com/maps. Determine your location on the map, right-click and select "What's Here?" from the menu. |
- | Find your location on the map, right-click and select the “What's Here?” Drop-down menu. | + | |
{{:image007.png?200|}} | {{:image007.png?200|}} | ||
- | An information window opens with the coordinates of this place. | + | An information window will be opened showing the coordinates of the location. |
{{:image008.png?400|}} | {{:image008.png?400|}} | ||
- | The first number is latitude, and the second is longitude. | + | The first number is the latitude and the second number is the longitude. Now you need to select satellites we are going to monitor. We need meteorological satellites which transmit open information in the 137 MHz band. Click the “Download TLE” button. |
- | Now you need to choose the satellites that we will follow. We need weather satellites that transmit open information in the 137 MHz band. | + | |
- | Click the Download TLE button. | + | |
{{:en:image_26.png?200|}} | {{:en:image_26.png?200|}} | ||
- | Download the weather.txt list | + | Download the weather.txt list. |
- | {{:image010.png?400|}} | + | {{:en:orbitron_2.png?400|}} |
- | In the side list on the right, only weather satellites will appear. Choose Meteor-M2, NOAA15, NOAA18, NOAA19. | + | Only meteorological satellites will be displayed in the list on the right. Select Meteor-M2, NOAA15, NOAA18, NOAA19. |
{{:image011.png?150|}} | {{:image011.png?150|}} | ||
- | The selected satellites will be shown in the main program window. | + | All selected satellites will be shown in the main software window. |
{{:image012.png?600|}} | {{:image012.png?600|}} | ||
- | On the information tab, you can see detailed information on the selected satellite. | + | You can see the detailed information about the selected satellite on the information tab. |
{{:en:image_27.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_27.png?500|}} | ||
- | On the Display tab, you can configure how the information is displayed. | + | You can adjust the way the information is displayed on the "Display" tab. |
{{:en:image_28.png?600|}} | {{:en:image_28.png?600|}} | ||
- | Terminator is the dividing line of day and night. | + | A terminator is a line separating day and night. |
- | The big way is three turns (past current and next). | + | The trajectory of the satellite overflight contains three turns (past, current and next). |
- | Zones are the visibility areas of satellites from the surface of the Earth. | + | The oval areas are zones of satellite visibility from the Earth surface. |
+ | |||
+ | Proceed to the "Calculation" tab and click on the appropriate button. | ||
- | Now go to the Calculation tab and click on the corresponding button. | ||
{{:en:image_29.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_29.png?500|}} | ||
- | The program will calculate the time of appearance of the satellites when they will rise higher than 10 degrees above the horizon. | + | The software will calculate the time of appearance of corresponding satellites, when they rise above 10 degrees above the horizon. |
{{:en:image_30.png?500|}} | {{:en:image_30.png?500|}} | ||
- | The figure shows that the NOAA19 satellite will appear at a height of 10 degrees above the horizon at 15:09, at 15:14 it will reach a height of 40 degrees, and at 15:19 it will leave its visibility range. | + | The figure shows that the satellite coded NOAA 19 will appear at 10 degrees above the horizon at 15:09; it will reach an altitude of 40 degrees at 15:14 and at 15:19 it will leave the visibility zone. |
---- | ---- | ||
- | ==== Exercise. ==== | + | ==== Assignment. ==== |
- | Analyze all the communication sessions that Orbitron will show. Find “good” sessions with the satellite rising above 45 degrees above the horizon. | + | Analyze all communication sessions shown by Orbitron. Determine the "good" sessions when the satellite is above 45 degrees above the horizon. |
---- | ---- | ||
- | ===== Connect to SDR #===== | + | ===== Connection to SDR#===== |
- | Now the most important thing is that you need to connect Orbitron with the SDR # program so that it automatically sets the desired reception frequency when a satellite appears. | + | Now, let's consider the most important thing - you need to connect Orbitron to the SDR# software so that it automatically sets the desired reception frequency when a satellite appears. |
- | Go to the Rotor / Radio tab, select the SDRSharp driver and click on the start tracking button. | + | Transfer to the "Rotor / Radio" tab, select the SDRSharp driver, and click "Start tracking". |
- | {{:image018.png?400|}} | + | {{:en:image_31.png?500|}} |
- | + | The recording procedure will begin! | |
- | Note! | + | |
- | In the window with the receive frequency (Dnlink / MHz) the following correct frequencies should be set. | + | The following correct frequencies must be set in the window with the reception frequency (Dnlink / MHz). |
Meteor M2 - 137.10 MHz | Meteor M2 - 137.10 MHz | ||
+ | |||
+ | Meteor M2-2 - 137.10 MHz | ||
NOAA 15 - 137.62 MHz | NOAA 15 - 137.62 MHz | ||
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NOAA 19 - 137.10 MHz | NOAA 19 - 137.10 MHz | ||
+ | Now, when a satellite appears in the SDR# software, all information about it will appear and the receipt frequency will be set by Orbitron taking into account the Doppler effect. | ||
- | Now, when a satellite appears in SDR #, information about it will appear, and the reception frequency will be set from Orbitron taking into account the Doppler effect. | ||
{{:image019.png?200|}} | {{:image019.png?200|}} | ||
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{{:image021.png?100|}} | {{:image021.png?100|}} | ||
- | + | When the Meteor-M2 satellite is registered, a special plugin called “Meteor Demodulator” will be activated. | |
- | When the Meteor-M2 satellite appears, a special Meteor Demodulator plugin is activated. | + | |
{{:image022.png?200|}} | {{:image022.png?200|}} | ||
- | A special program for processing images from this satellite Meteor-M 2 LRPT Analyzer will also be launched. | + | The special software for processing of images received from the satellite, named “Meteor-M 2 LRPT Analyzer”, will also be launched. |
{{:image023.png?200|}} | {{:image023.png?200|}} | ||
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===== Doppler effect ===== | ===== Doppler effect ===== | ||
- | The Doppler effect is a physical phenomenon consisting in a change in the frequency of the waves depending on the movement of the source of these waves relative to the observer. As the source approaches, the frequency of the waves emitted by it increases, and the length decreases. As the wave source moves away from the observer, their frequency decreases, and the wavelength increases. | + | The Doppler effect is a physical phenomenon consisting of a change in the frequency of waves depending on motion of the source of these waves relative to the observer. As the source gets closer, the frequency of waves emitted by it is increased and the length is decreased. As the source of the waves moves away from the observer, their frequency decreases and their wavelength increases. |
- | For example, in the case of sound waves, when you remove the source, the pitch will decrease, and when approaching, the tone of the sound will become higher. So, by changing the pitch you can determine whether a train is approaching or moving away, a car with a special sound signal. | + | |
+ | For example, in case of sound waves receipt, the pitch of the sound decreases as a person moves away from the source and becomes higher as he/she gets closer. Thus, by changing the pitch, a user can determine whether a train, a car providing a special sound signal alarm is approaching or moving away. | ||
- | {{:image024.png?400|}} | + | {{:en:image_33.png?600|}} |
- | The same thing happens with the signal from the satellite. | + | The same happens with a satellite signal. When a satellite appears from behind the horizon and approaches a person, the frequency of the received radio signal is changed slightly and will not be exactly equal to 137.1 MHz rather being 0.003 MHz higher and when the satellite is moving away - it will be 0.003 MHz lower. Orbitron takes this peculiarity into account and sends the signal receipt frequency in a form corrected for reaching of the Doppler effect to the SDR# software in order to improve the quality of signal receipt. |
- | When a traveler appears from beyond the horizon and approaches us, the frequency of the received radio signal will change a little and will be not exactly 137.1 MHz, but 0.003 MHz higher, and when the satellite is removed it will be 0.003 MHz lower. The orbitron automatically takes this into account and sends the frequency of signal reception corrected for the Doppler effect to SDR # to improve the quality of signal reception. | + | |