ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｳ
ｳｰ
ｳ
TRAKSAT Version 4.0
ｳｰ
ｳ
Satellite Tracking Program
ｳｰ
ｳ
For DOS
ｳｰ
ｳ
ｳｰ
ｳ
ｳｰ
ｳ Copyright (C) 1989-96, All Rights Reserved ｳｰ
ｳ
Paul E. Traufler
ｳｰ
ｳ
111 Emerald Drive
ｳｰ
ｳ
Harvest, AL 35749 USA
ｳｰ
ｳ
ｳｰ
ｳ
WK (205) 726-5511 or (205) 837-0084
ｳｰ
ｳ
e-mail: wintrak@traveller.com
ｳｰ
ｳ Home Page: http://www.hsv.tis.net/~wintrak ｳｰ
ｳ
ｳｰ
ｳ
ｳｰ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
4 November, 1996
TRAKSAT
Copyright (C) 1989-96
By Paul E. Traufler
All Rights Reserved
2
****************************************************************
ALL VERSIONS OF TRAKSAT, INCLUDING VERSION 4.0, ARE NOT PUBLIC
DOMAIN SOFTWARE, NOR ARE THEY FREE SOFTWARE.
Non-registered users are granted a limited license to use TRAKSAT
on a trial basis for the purpose of determining whether TRAKSAT
is suitable for their needs. The term of the trial basis shall
not exceed 30 days. Use of TRAKSAT, except for this limited
purpose, requires registration.
TRAKSAT and its companion files are being distributed as
Shareware. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SHARE THIS SOFTWARE WITH OTHERS
PROVIDED THAT IT IS DISTRIBUTED COMPLETE WITH DOCUMENTATION AND
IN UNMODIFIED FORM AND THAT NO FEE OR OTHER CONSIDERATION IS
CHARGED OR ACCEPTED. (DISTRIBUTORS OF PUBLIC DOMAIN OR USER
SUPPORTED SOFTWARE MAY DISTRIBUTE TRAKSAT FOR A COPY FEE, NOT TO
EXCEED $5.00 (US)).
****************************************************************
TRAKSAT makes no warranty of any kind, either express or implied,
including but not limited to implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with
respect to this software and accompanying documentation.
Paul E. Traufler, author of TRAKSAT, SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY
TO USE TRAKSAT, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. This
agreement is governed by the laws of the state of Alabama.
3
What is Shareware?
(Why ask why!)
Shareware is copyrighted software that is distributed at minimal
cost. Because you can "try before you buy", it's easy to find
programs to fit your needs. Shareware authors release programs
with an element of trust, expecting payment if a program is used
regularly. You save when you buy Shareware since expensive
marketing costs are eliminated, however it should be remembered
that producing Shareware costs the author time, energy, and
money. Remember that registering Shareware will help keep high
quality low cost software available to all users.
Why should I register?
Well first off it is the right thing to do. If you use TRAKSAT
for more than 30 days it is time to register. What you get by
registering TRAKSAT is;
1. Support for Shareware so you can keep getting low-cost
software in the future.
2. You will be E-mailed a notice when new versions become
available. *** E-Mail Notice ONLY ***
3. Support will be provided to registered users only.
4. The option of getting you name placed on the About screen so
everyone will know you registered the program.
5. The warm feeling that you are supporting me in this pursuit.
6. The latest version of the program and new satellite elements
also.
7. The registered version does NOT display the reminder screen at
startup.
8. Only the registered version has the Auto Tracker interface for
automatic antenna pointing and radio tuning. (This is optional
equipment and is not required to use TRAKSAT.)
Your registration helps support me and my family also. I have
spent a great deal of time and effort in this program and would
hope that you will be honest and register. I have kept the cost
of this program within the reach of almost anyone, just try to
find another satellite tracking program with all the features of
TRAKSAT for less money.
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄ
INTRODUCTION ...........................................
HARDWARE REQUIRED TO RUN THE PROGRAM ...................
CHAPTER 1 (GETTING STARTED) ...........................
RUNNING THE PROGRAM ....................................
CHAPTER 2 (USER OPTIONS) ..............................
CHAPTER 3 (MAIN MENU FILE OPTIONS) ....................
CHAPTER 4 (MAIN MENU SATELLITE OPTIONS) ...............
CHAPTER 5 (MAIN MENU STATION OPTIONS) .................
CHAPTER 6 (MAIN MENU TIME OPTIONS) ....................
CHAPTER 7 (MAIN MENU OPTIONS) .........................
CHAPTER 8 (MAIN MENU OUTPUT MODES) ....................
CHAPTER 9 (MULTI-MODES) ...............................
CHAPTER 10 (REGISTERING/UPDATES) .......................
CHAPTER 11 (OBTAINING ELEMENTS/FILE FORMAT) ............
CHAPTER 12 (SATELLITE MAGNITUDE/FREQUENCIES) ...........
CHAPTER 13 (ODDS AND ENDS) .............................
AUTO TRACKER ...........................................
CHAPTER 14 (PROBLEMS/HELP) .............................
BIBLIOGRAPHY ...........................................
ORDER FORMS (ORDER.FRM) ................................
5
8
8
9
11
16
17
19
21
23
25
34
36
37
40
42
48
50
53
55
Trademarks used in this document
ﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄ
IBM, PS/2, and PC DOS are registered trademarks of International
Business Machines Corporation.
Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, and QuickC are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.
Hercules is a registered trademark of Hercules Computer
Technology.
TRAKSAT uses the QuickWindows Advanced User Interface Library
which is Copyrighted 1992 by Software Interphase, Inc..
Auto Tracker is a Trademark of Endeavour Electronics 157
Catamount Road, Tewksbury, MA 01876. (508) 851-5661
All others are owned by there respected companies.
5
Introduction
TRAKSAT is a general purpose satellite tracking program, by that
I mean any satellite that has a NORAD, NASA 2-Line element set
can be used. The solution to the satellite motion which is used
by TRAKSAT is completely analytic and therefore requires no
numerical integration. This makes the program fast, even faster
when a coprocessor is used, since the solutions can be evaluated
at arbitrarily large, or small, time intervals.
The purpose of this program is to provide the user with a means
of propagating NORAD element sets in time to obtain tracking
information of the space object.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The NORAD satellite data set included with TRAKSAT contains the
elements for over 800 satellites. HOWEVER this data will be
several weeks old by the time MOST people obtain this program.
The elements included can be used to run the program through its
paces but updated elements will be required in order to make
accurate predictions. For more information on satellite elements
see Chapter 11.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
To print out the document, TRAKSAT.DOC use the DOS copy command.
The syntax to use would be "COPY TRAKSAT.DOC PRN", without the
quotation marks.
A complete development of the theory required to predict the
position of an artificial satellite about the earth is not
presented here because this is not proper place for it. Such a
development would require a volume in itself and would be more of
a distraction than an aid to the potential user. Only enough of
the concepts required for a general understanding plus the final
results are given. References to detailed works from which these
results are derived are provided for the more than casually
interested reader.
A Brief Editorial
TRAKSAT version 4.0 (4.0 because this is the fourth MAJOR
revision of the program) is written in 100% C code. The program
has some 40,000 lines of code in it and represents some 3500
hours of work. I have enjoyed the work and have heard from many
people all over the world.
I'm an Aerospace Engineer working for a company in Huntsville,
AL.. My job title is; Trajectory and Orbit Analysis Engineer. I
work with NASA, mostly the shuttle program, "on-console" for
several shuttle missions. I have done orbital lighting, TDRS
coverage, Pass Planning, and many other things. I also have
worked with a telemetry system that was used to determine the
actual pointing of the Shuttle on the ATLAS-1 and ATLAS-2 shuttle
missions. I was in charge of the real-time software development
6
for these missions. I was one of the Orbit Analysis Engineers for
the IML-2 Shuttle mission and the ASTRO 2 mission which flew in
early 1995.
****************************************************************
This is an ad For WinTrak, the Satellite Tracking Program for
WINDOWS 3.1, (Win95 version also available).
Is Windows your idea of the way software should be? Well I have
produced the first and only Windows based satellite tracking
program. It is called WinTrak. This program is the most advanced
program of its kind. There are many features of this program that
would make any DOS program green with envy.
WinTrak is an easy-to-use program for tracking satellites in
real-time on PC type personal computers running Windows. It
provides a variety of features required by Amateur Radio
Operators, Astronomers, and Satellite Watchers. Some of the key
features include:
Quick, simple clean operation
Fast, accurate results
Nearly unlimited number of satellites
User configured multiple tracking stations
Phase to mode conversions for the HAMSATS
Multiple satellite tracking
Satellite ground tracks
Predict upcoming satellite passes
Real-time satellite tracking
3-D satellite earth views
Satellite tracks across a stars background
Easy to use Windows program
Doppler shift calculations
Squint angle calculations
Simple easy installation program included
Supports any video mode used by Windows
Special satellite groups available
Fast tabular satellite rise/set options
Optical tracking options
Complete on-line help available
Printed documentation provided
Uses NASA/NORAD Two-Line Elements
Satellite database of over 750 satellites included
Free technical support via CompuServe
What will WinTrak do for me? WinTrak tracks orbiting satellites
including the Moon, Sun, and Stars. The program can continually
update the screen with the current positions of multiple
satellites and tracking stations. WinTrak provides the user with
a wealth of options to suit the particular needs of a broad
spectrum of users. WinTrak is high quality software but at an
affordable price!
WinTrak was designed to be easy-to-use for both the beginner and
the expert alike. This program may be the best reason to switch
to Windows! Computer Software/Hardware Requirements:
WinTrak runs on IBM & compatible 386, 486 PC computers capable of
running Windows in either Standard or Enhanced modes. Other
7
system requirements include; 3 Meg of Ram, 1.44M floppy disk, 3
Meg of disk space, DOS version 5.X or better, Windows version
3.1,. A coprocessor is strongly recommended. WinTrak is supplied
on 3.5 inch 1.44M floppy disks, 5.25 inch 1.2M floppy disks can
be ordered. High density disks only.
Recommended Minimum System:
386-33MHz with 4 Meg Ram, 387 coprocessor, Super VGA color
graphics, 130 Meg hard drive, 1.44M floppy, mouse, DOS 5.0 or
6.2, Windows 3.1.
Price: $49.95
+ $4.00 Shipping.
For more information please contact;
WinTrak
c/o Paul E. Traufler
111 Emerald Drive
Harvest, AL. 35749
Phone (work) 205-726-5511
Phone (home) 205-837-0084
e-mail: wintrak@traveller.com
****************************************************************
8
Chapter 1 (Getting Started)
New with this version is two fully rendered 3D earth views with
full color Sun/Shadow. These views are breath taking! TRAKSAT is
now a fully protected mode program with no DOS 640K limits! The
program uses Extended or Expanded memory and requires only 250K
of free RAM. This is the FOURTH major re-write of the program and
is considered the best by all the trial users.
The program has expaned on-line help along with better and
additional error checking. Speed and features are what it is all
about.
Did you get a complete copy of the program? The following files
SHOULD have been included in the archive file.
TRAKSAT.EXE
TRAKSAT.INI
TRAKSAT.CTY
TRAKSAT.DOC
TRAKSAT.HLP
TRAKSAT.NDX
EARTH.DAT
EARTH.BIN
TLE.TXT
READ.ME
TRAK.NEW
MODERN.FON
FONT.VGA
ORDER.FRM
STAR6A.BIN
The program.
The default data for TRAKSAT.
The city file for tracking stations.
TRAKSAT program documentation.
TRAKSAT help file.
TRAKSAT help file index.
World map data file.
World map data file.
This is the latest NORAD satellite data set,
Latest notes about the program.
New features for this version.
This is a font file used for the graphics.
This is a font file used for the menus.
This file contains TRAKSAT order forms.
This is a star data base that is NOT required
to run TRAKSAT, it is optional. This data file
can be used in the external star data
option. It has all stars to magnitude 6.0
in it.
What do I need to run the program? In order to run the program
the user will need the following hardware/software;
IBM or 100% compatible AT,PS/2,286,386,486, 2MB
Ram (250K free ram is required), Floppy or Hard
Disk (approximately 1Meg free), Text mode display
(25x80), CGA, EGA, VGA, or SVGA graphics, DOS version
5.0 or better, HIMEM or some other memory manager
installed.
Math coprocessor is NOT required BUT RECOMMENDED,
(IF A COPROCESSOR IS PRESENT IT WILL BE USED *),
PC DOS or MS DOS VERSION 5.0 or above. This version of
TRAKSAT WILL NOT RUN ON XT (8088) COMPUTERS, if you
are still using a XT computer for satellite tracking
you will need to use Version 3.03 or UPDATE the
computer.
* It should be noted that a coprocessor will be 3 to 4 times
faster than the emulator version. If the user plans on using the
real-time tracking mode, a coprocessor will "smooth out" the time
steps to such a small delta as to appear instantaneously. At any
rate the real-time mode runs as fast as the host computer can
9
calculate the data and update the screen.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
This version of TRAKSAT will NOT run on XT (8088) computers, a
286 AT class computer is the minimum hardware supported.
==> INSTALLING TRAKSAT
TRAKSAT is available from many BBS's and shareware firms and
normally stored in a compressed format such as ZIP. The user will
be required to uncompress the files by whatever means it was
compressed with first. To install the program first create a
directory on your hard disk. Type "C:" <Enter> then "md\trak400"
<Enter> to create a directory named C:\TRAK400. (Do not type the
quotes, the <Enter> means press the Enter or Return key.) Then
type "cd\trak400" to go to this directory. If your hardware is
different substitute the required changes as needed.
Next copy ALL the files to the just created directory on your
hard disk. That is all that is required to run the program. Read
Chapter 2 (User Options) for additional details on user set
options that you may want. IT IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT YOU SET
THE OUTPUT PATH IN THE TRAKSAT.INI FILE. If you do not set the
path the program may over write output files.
Running The Program
To start TRAKSAT you type "TRAKSAT", without the quotation marks,
at the DOS prompt. Several command-line options are available to
modify the start-up of the program. See Chapter 2 for details.
If all is well the program will startup with a Tabular mode
tracking the Mir satellite.
***
Pressing F1 will bring up the online help.
***
SUGGESTED additions to your CONFIG.SYS file (386,486 systems):
DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS
<====This is the mininum required
DOS=HIGH,UMB
FILES = 50
BUFFERS=17
STACKS=9,256
If you do not know if you have expanded/extended memory type
"MEM" at the DOS prompt. Below is an example output from MEM that
displays the current memory conditions.
C:\TRAKSAT>MEM
655360 bytes total conventional memory
bytes available to MS-DOS
executable program size
655360
632688 largest
10
6651904 bytes total EMS memory
6062080 bytes free EMS memory
7602176 bytes total
0 bytes available
bytes available XMS
MS-DOS resident
<== This is EXPANDED MEMORY
contiguous extended memory
contiguous extended memory
6062080
memory
in High Memory Area
<== DOS loaded HIGH
After the opening screen is displayed the Main Menu will be
displayed next. From the Main Menu the user can control the
program. The Main Menu is the core of the program, i.e. from this
menu the user can setup satellite data, tracking station data,
and output selections.
Here is an Main Menu example;
File Satellite Stations Time Options Output Modes
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
TRAKSAT Version 4.0
A full explanation of the options is included in this document
but for the most part the user can figure out most of the options
without additional help.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
All of the menu selections can be changed by either the arrow
keys, mouse movement, or ALT+ the first hi-lited letter of the
menu choice. (The left mouse button will select the hi-lighted
menu option.) Some options have Hot-Key assignments that will go
directly to the option without going through and menus. The HotKeys are always a Alt+Key options, i.e., Alt+E, this means
pressing down the Alt key and the E key at the same time. (This
combination will allow the user to change satellite element
files.) If a Hot-Key option is available for a menu option it
will be displayed on the right side of the menu options. If you
do not have a mouse the Tab key will change the cursor setting on
the menus and buttons. The mouse driver version used in the
testing of TRAKSAT was Microsoft 7.03. Several other versions and
other mice have been used with no problems also. (The mouse is
disabled during any graphics output.)
TRAKSAT uses these hot keys to jump to several program
selections. (Press the Alt and the listed key at the same time)
Alt+C = View/Edit current tracking station data Alt+D = Switch to
Delta-Time mode Alt+E = Open a TLE file Alt+G = Ground Track
Alt+N = Find a satellite from the list Alt+P = View/Change
11
program defaults Alt+R = Switch to Real-Time mode Alt+X = Exit
the program Alt+3 = Rendered 3D view at the satellite F1
=
Online help
During ANY graphics display pressing P key will cause the current
screen to be saved to a PCX file.
What's the Next Step?
With the program up and running you will notice a tabular type
output screen. The satellite will be Mir with Harvest, AL as the
tracking station. (These are the factory set defaults.) Press the
Esc (escape) key to stop the output. Select Station/Find from the
Main Menu a menu box will appear while the city data is being
loaded. If you want to cancel the reading of data press Esc.
Scroll through the list of stations and find your city. (Relax if
you do not find it as you can add to the TRAKSAT.CTY file or edit
the changes later.) Be sure to set the UTC Offset for this
station. Select Replace Station #1 and then Save. This will make
your city the new station number 1. You can add other stations
later if you wish. If you want another satellite or tracking mode
at program startup select Options/Default from the Main Menu
next. You can enter several defaults used by the program or make
changes on the fly in some cases. Set the defaults as you
requirements may need and select Save. Now TRAKSAT is configured
for your needs! Please read Chapter 2, User Options for more
details.
12
Chapter 2 (User Options)
Command-Line options
TRAKSAT has several command-line options available that may prove
useful. To use any of these commands type "traksat /?", without
the quotes. (Replace the ? with one or more of the following
commands.) Valid options are;
/auto
/m =
/x =
/at =
= Run Analytical Solution Mode at start up,
Use Monochrome mode,
Do NOT try to load element data at start-up,
Use the Auto Tracker for antenna control,
(This is optional support)
/nofont = Do NOT load the VGA font file used for the
menus.
These commands are not upper/lower case specific.
The TRAKSAT.INI File
TRAKSAT has many options available to suit your particular needs.
The program stores your options in a file called TRAKSAT.INI.
This file is an ASCII text file that can be edited by any word
processor that can save as ASCII text. (DOS utility program EDIT
works fine) or from inside the program (File/Edit INI). The
program will look for this file in the same place as the program
EXE is located. ONE WILL NOT BE CREATED IF IT IS MISSING, however
the program will use some defaults to get you started at least.
Several options allow you to save your new defaults to the INI
file, however the program will first make a backup of the current
INI settings to a file called TRAKSAT.BAK.
An example of the INI file is included below;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
TRAKSAT Version 4.00 INI, Copyright (C) 1996 By Paul E. Traufler
*** A semi-colon in the FIRST column means a comment field ***
ALL DATA MUST FOLLOW THE = SIGN, ** NO SPACES ** 79 columns MAX
The section titles i.e., [Program Info] MUST start in column ONE
Program Info, Automatic, and Groups can NOT be set inside the
program, you must edit the TRAKSAT.INI file and make the desired
; changes.
;
[Program Info]
Element Filename=tle.txt
; DO NOT END THE OUTPUT PATH WITH A "\" CHARACTER
; Adding an output path is strongly recommended
Output Path=
;
; *** CONSULT DOCUMENTATION FOR DETAILS *BEFORE* SETTING VIDEO MODES ***
; -4=EGA 640x350x16, -3=Herc, -2=CGA Mono, -1=VGA Mono, 0=Auto, 1=VGA
;
; If running in Win95 and you have more than 256 color video it is
; best to set the output to 16 color modes as they are faster, or at
; least set to VGA (-1) as this is the fastest display mode.
13
; *** THE MODES LISTED BELOW REQUIRE A SVGA CARD AND MONITOR ***
; *** DAMAGE MAY RESULT IF YOUR HARDWARE DOES NOT SUPPORT THESE MODES ***
; 2=800x600x16, 3=800x600x256, 4=1024x768x16, 5=1024x768x256
; 6=1280x1024x16, 7=1280x1024x256, 8=640x400x256
Video Mode=1
; Land fill color for Ground Tracks, 0 none,2=green,6=red,8=gray
Color Land=2
; 0 = no refresh of Ground Track
Rev Update Interval=6
; *** CONSULT DOCUMENTATION FOR DETAILS *BEFORE* SETTING VIDEO MODES ***
;Render Output Video Mode, ** This REQUIRES a 256 color mode **
;1=640x400x256, 2=640x480x256, 3=800x600x256, 4=1024x768x256, 5=1280x1024x256
Render Video Mode=2
[Defaults]
Satellite Name=Mir
Run Mode=0
Freq Up=145.750000
Freq Down=440.150000
[Automatic]
; ALL IN LOCAL TIMES I WILL USE STATION #1 UTC OFFSET
Start Time=18.0
Length Hours=24.0
;Days offset from current date
Day Offset=1
; 0 = ALL, 1 = Group One, etc.
Group=0
[Options]
Sensor=1
Sun Terminator=1
Grids=1
Visible Only=0
Star Direction=3
Star Names=1
Internal Stars=1
External Stars=1
Star Time Tags=1
Star Update Interval=18.0000
Star Mag Limit=5.0000
Ra Dec Output=0
UTC Output=0
[Auto Tracker]
; ONLY WITH THE REGISTERED VERSION, optional
Comm Port=2
Home Azimuth=0
Home Elevation=0
Limit Azimuth=5
Limit Elevation=3
Max Elevation=90
Mic Step=100
[Station 1]
Station 1 Name=Harvest,AL
Station 1 Lat=34.7900
Station 1 Lon=-86.6790
Station 1 Alt=220.00
Station 1 UTC Offset=-6.0
14
Station
Station
Station
Station
1
1
1
1
Min Elevation=0.0
Max Range=2000.0
Visibility=1
Twilight=-10.0
[Station 2]
[Station 3]
[Group 1]
;25 Satellites Max. Per Group
Group1 Satellite01=Mir
Group1 Satellite02=HST
Group1 Satellite03=HST Array
Group1 Satellite04=ARSENE
[Group 2]
;25 Satellites Max. Per Group
Group2 Satellite01=NOAA 9
Group2 Satellite02=NOAA 10
Group2 Satellite03=NOAA 12
Group2 Satellite04=Meteor 3-4
Group2 Satellite05=Meteor 3-5
Group2 Satellite06=Meteor 3-6
[Group 3]
;25 Satellites Max. Per Group
Group3 Satellite01=FO-27
Group3 Satellite02=Mir
Group3 Satellite03=OSCAR 10
[Attitude]
;Six Satellites Max.
Attitude Satellite1=AO-13
;NORAD ID Number
Attitude ID1=19216
;Bahn lat/lon in Degrees
Attitude BLAT1=0.0
Attitude BLON1=180.0
[Multi Satellites]
;Max. of SIX satellites
Multi 1=ARSENE
Multi 2=Mir
Multi 3=NOAA 12
Multi 4=
Multi 5=
Multi 6=
;Colors 0=black, 1=blue, 2=green, 3=cyan, 4=red, 5=magenta, 6=brown
;7=white, 8=dk gray, 9=lt blue, 10=lt green, 11=lt cyan, 12=lt red
;13=lt magenta, 14=yellow, 15=bright white
Multi Color 1=14
Multi Color 2=5
Multi Color 3=4
Multi Color 4=15
Multi Color 5=13
Multi Color 6=11
The user can choose a color from the palette of;
15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
BLUE
GREEN
CYAN
RED
MAGENTA
BROWN
WHITE
GRAY
0
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
BLACK
LIGHT BLUE
LIGHT GREEN
LIGHT CYAN
LIGHT RED
LIGHT MAGENTA
LIGHT YELLOW
BRIGHT WHITE
It is important that you follow the this format or unexpected
results may occur. Please note that any data after the = sign
must be without any spaces. Most of the options have comments by
them so you will not get into trouble and error checking is done
on the data also.
Some areas of the INI file can only be changed by editing the
file and making the changes. The areas include Program Info,
Automatic, and Groups can NOT be set inside the program, you must
edit the TRAKSAT.INI file and make the desired changes. USE ONLY
AN ASCII SAVING EDITOR, one such as the DOS EDIT program or
inside the program using the built in editor (File/Edit INI).
The Defaults Section of the INI file can be set inside the
program. Below is a screen of the setting for this option.
ﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｵ TRAKSAT Defaults ﾆﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ Satellite Name: Mir
ｺ
ｺ Freq Up (MHz): 145.000
ｺ
ｺ Freq Dn (MHz): 440.000
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Default Run Modes ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ (*) Tabular Screen Only
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Ground Track
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Star Background
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Orthographic Mode
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) 3D Earth View
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Multi-Sat Tabular Screen ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Multi-Sat Ground Tracks ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ Ok ｳ
ｳ Cancel ｳ
ｳ Save ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
If the user selects any graphic output the program will test for
a graphics adapter and based on the type of graphics hardware
will select the "highest" standard graphics mode supported. You
may override these options by setting the INI file with the
desired video mode.
******************
16
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
Some of the higher resolution modes require special hardware to
run. You may damage your hardware if you exceed its capabilities.
do not attempt to set any graphic modes above 640x480 (VGA) or
Video Modes over 1 without ensuring that you monitor can safely
handle that resolution. Otherwise, you may risk damaging your
display monitor. Consult your owner's manual for details.
An example of the standard graphics modes would be;
VGA mode 640x480 pixels,
EGA mode 640x350 pixels,
CGA mode 640x200 pixels,
******************
* SPECIAL NOTE *
******************
If the hardware does NOT support graphics an error message will
be displayed and the program will return to the Main Menu. All of
the text modes will still be available however.
17
Chapter 3 (Main Menu File Options)
The File options from the Main Menu will allow the user to change
satellite element files, shell to DOS, display a About screen,
and Quit the program.
Changing the satellite element file is the first File option, the
user can press the Alt+E keys to jump to this option.
The program will display a list of files for the user to select a
element file from. The first place the listing starts is with the
current default for element files as set in the INI file. If you
want to use the same directory as TRAKSAT is installed to just
leave the INI setting Element Filename= blank.
To cancel this operation either select the Cancel button or press
the Esc key.
Below is an example of the Open File select screen.
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Open File ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ FileName: *.TXT
ｳ
ｳ C:\TRAK310\
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ
Files
ｳ
ｳ ﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ TLE.TXT
ｺ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ok ｳ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ｳ Cancel ｳ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｳ
ｳ ｺ
ｺ
ｳ
ｳ ﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
ｳ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
The Shell to DOS File option will work with DOS version 3.0 and
above ONLY. This option will allow you to run other DOS programs
or commands. Typing "EXIT" will resume TRAKSAT.
The third File Option will display the About screen, this will
display the current version and support numbers and such. This
screen will be displayed when starting the un-registered versions
of the program. (The registered version does NOT display this
reminder screen at all, another advantage to registering your
program!)
The last File option will quit the program. No warnings or
messages will be displayed asking if you are sure about quitting.
18
Chapter 4 (Main Menu Satellite Options)
To select a particular satellite you will select the
Satellite/Find option. A list of the current satellite names will
be displayed for you to select a satellite name. (A maximum
length of 20 characters is allowed in the satellite name). The
list is not sorted but rather listed just as the satellites are
listed in the element file. To find a satellite quickly use the
Find option, enter the desired name and click Find to use this.
Scroll through the satellite list until you find the desired name
then either select Ok. Below is an example screen of the
Satellite/Find option.
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Satellites ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｳ[
]
Find
ｳ
ｳﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994049A
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994046B
ｱ
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994048D
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994048C
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994048B
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994048A
ｰ ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ ｳ
ｳｺ 1994047B
ｰ ｳ ok ｳ ｳ
ｳｺ DIRECTV
ｰ ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ ｳ
ｳｺ APEX
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994045B
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ Cosmos 2285
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ 1994044B
ｰ ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ ｳ
ｳｺ Cosmos 2284
ｰ ｳ Cancel ｳ ｳ
ｳｺ 1994043B
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ ｳ
ｳﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
ｳ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
For you keyboard users the Tab key will move the focus of all
options, if a item such as a botton has focus the title will be
all captial letters. Focus is important because if you press the
Enter key while a control has focus that command will be
processed. If the Ok or the Cancel button has the focus and you
press Enter you will send either the Ok or the Cancel command to
the program. To change the current focus press the Tab key.
This program uses the NASA, or NORAD 2-line, satellite element
data file format to read data into the program, (in this text the
use of NORAD refers to NASA 2-Line or NORAD satellite element
data sets). For a full explanation of the NASA 2-line satellite
element data sets see Chapter 11.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
TRAKSAT is limited by available extended/expanded memory to the
number of satellites it can load into memory. The number of
satellites loaded will vary from computer to computer, however
for the most part element files used by most will pose no
problems. If you have a file with more satellites than can be
loaded you will need to remove, using a text editor, satellite
data sets or free up more memory. This may not prove to be a
limitation for most people as most satellite data sets have less
19
than 700 satellite data sets.
The second Satellite option will display a list of the currently
visible satellites from the current file. The program will use
the currently selected tracking station and visibility tests for
this option. The program will read the system date/time and than
determine what satellites are visible. You can select a satellite
from the list by selecting the satellite name first than
selecting Ok.
The next Satellite option, Info will display the orbital
information on the currently loaded satellite. All data displayed
will be in units of Km, Km/Sec and alike. An example of the
Satellite/Info screen is below.
ﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Satellite Infomation
ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄ
AO-13
NORAD ID 19216
Epoch DOY
221.177509
2449573.677508851
1st Dot
(R/Day^2)-1.67000000E-006
04:15:36
2nd Dot
(R/Day^3) 0.00000000E+000
Bstar
(Drag)
1.00000000E-005
Inclination (Deg)
57.7592
RAAN
(Deg)
237.5053
Eccentricity (Deg)
0.72235970
Arg. Perigee (Deg)
347.6665
Mean Anomaly (Deg)
1.4454
Mean Motion (R/Day)
2.097252
Rev Number
1562
BLAT
(Deg)
0.0000
Epoch Julian Date
Epoch Date/Time
Period
Semi Major
Radius Apogee
Radius Perigee
Velocity Min
Velocity Max
Ave Altitude
Long Asc Node
isible Lat
BLON
08/09/94
(Min) 686.5978
(Km)
25780.732
(Km)
44403.694
(Km)
7157.770
(Km/S)
9.794
(Km/S)
1.579
(Km)
19402.597
(Deg)
216.171
(Deg)
90.000
(Deg) 0.0000
Press Esc to Quit
ﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄ
BLat and BLon or stellite attitude is used for the squint angle
calculations only. The OSCAR series of satellites use a antenna
pointing system called Bahn coordinates. These coordinates are
Bahn latitude and longitude and are used in the calculations. TO
CHANGE THEM YOU WILL NEED TO EDIT THE INI FILE under the
[Attitude] sections and make the changes. Below is an example of
the [Attitude] section from the TRAKSAT.INI file.
[Attitude]
;Six Satellites Max.
Attitude Satellite1=AO-13
;NORAD ID Number
Attitude ID1=19216
;Bahn lat/lon in Degrees
Attitude BLAT1=0.0
Attitude BLON1=180.0
20
Chapter 5 (Main Menu Station Options)
The first Station option, Find will display the tracking stations
listed in the file TRAKSAT.CTY. The city data file has ~1970 of
the larger U.S. cities latitude, longitudes, and altitudes in it.
(Some world-wide cities also.) You will be asked to replace what
tracking station number, 1, 2, or 3 with the new data first. The
first time you run the program and you want to set your station
you should select the number 1 option, from then on either number
2 or 3 would be recommended. The program can have up to 3
tracking stations. The current station will have a check mark
before its name. Once you have the desired tracking stations
loaded and saved you can select one of them by just selecting the
station name from the Main Menu.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The latitudes used in TRAKSAT are ALL considered to be GEODETIC
latitudes NOT GEOCENTRIC. It will be left up to the user to
determine the conversion from geocentric to geodetic latitude.
(For the most part this conversion should not be required as MOST
maps and atlas coordinates are listed as geodetic.) The altitude
measurement is the altitude above mean sea-level and is in
meters.
If you can not find a match to the city data then you will need
to use a text editor to add the city data in the file TRAKSAT.CTY
or use the closest city in the file.
Below is an example from the TRAKSAT.CTY file. The format of the
tracking station file is;
City Name
Long. Lat.
Alt.
(deg) (deg) (m)
Harvest,AL,-86.6792,34.7972,220.
The city name can be up to 20 characters long while the
longitude, latitude, and altitude can be up to 10 characters
long. Commas MUST separate the data fields and the program
expects 4 commas per line of data.
The TRAKSAT.CTY file can hold a MAXIMUM of 2100 tracking stations
in it. The user can enter city data into the TRAKSAT.CTY file in
any order but it would be wise to include the data in an
alphabetical order.
21
Below is an example screen for the Station/Find option.
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Tracking Stations ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｳﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Visibility ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ ｳ
ｳｺ Aalborg,Denmark
ｳ(*) LOS
ｳ ｳ
ｳｺ Abbotsford,BC
ｱ ｳ( ) Optical
ｳ ｳ
ｳｺ Aberdeen Prv Gnd,MD ｰ ｳ( ) Optical/Max Range
ｳ ｳ
ｳｺ Aberdeen,ID
ｰ ｳ Max Range (Km): 2000 ｳ ｳ
ｳｺ Aberdeen,MD
ｰ ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ ｳ
ｳｺ Aberdeen,Scotland
ｰ UTC Offset (Hrs):
-5.0
ｳ
ｳｺ Aberdeen,SD
ｰ Min. Elev. (Deg):
0.0
ｳ
ｳｺ Aberdeen,WA
ｰ Twilight (Deg):
-10.0
ｳ
ｳｺ Abilene,KS
ｰ Station Name:
ｳ
ｳｺ Abilene,TX
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ Acapulco,Mexico
ｰ
ｳ
ｳｺ Accra,Ghana
ｰ ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ ｳ
ｳｺ Ada,MN
ｰ ｳ ok ｳ ｳ Save ｳ ｳ Cancel ｳ ｳ
ｳｺ Adak,AK
ｰ ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ ｳ
ｳｺ Adams,MA
ｳ
ｳﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
# Stations: 1971
ｳ
ｳ Replace
(*) Station 1 ( ) Station 2 ( ) Station 3 ｳ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
The city file has been sorted by city names and as such you may
quickly jump to that section of the listed names by using the
scroll bar. Edit the UTC Offset and Min Elev. setting to suit
your needs also. After the tracking station has been chosen the
Main Menu will appear waiting for the next user choice.
Once you have setup your tracking stations you can change its
settings by first selecting it as the current station. Next
select the Station/Current option and may any changes you require
"on-the-fly". If you select Ok the changes are not made to the
INI settings but rather used only while the program is in
operation. If your location is NOT in the included file you may
select any close by city and use this option to make the required
changes. Save this new data and you will be all set now.
22
Chapter 6 (Main Menu Time Options)
TRAKSAT can operate in two different time modes, Real-time and
Delta-time. (The delta-time mode is starting at some particular
date and time using a user defined time increment until a ending
time is reached.)
To change time modes in TRAKSAT the user can select Time from the
Main Menu. The two time mode options will be displayed with a
check mark before the current mode name.
The Real-time mode will update the screen at 1 second intervals
if the hardware will allow. For an AT class machine with no
coprocessor, the update time may be 5 to 10 seconds. An AT class
computer with a coprocessor can do the 1 second per update with
no trouble.
If you would like to track a satellite from say today's date to
some future date, the Delta-time mode is the choice to use. The
basic idea is track from some starting date to some stopping
date. If the user selects the Delta-time mode some additional
information will be required. The starting date and time along
with the length of the simulation. The time step will also need
to be entered. The program will display "defaults" that can be
accepted or edited to suit your needs.
It is noted that the maximum length, that is from the starting
date to some future time, of the simulation is 99 days 99 hours
99 minutes 99 seconds. The step size can be 1 second to a maximum
of 2 days. (1 Minute is the default.)
Below is an example of the delta-time mode data input screen.
ﾉﾍﾍﾍｵ UTC Starting Date/Time Length ﾆﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ Date (mm/dd/yy):
09/23/94 ｺ
ｺ Time (hh:mm:ss):
00:00:00 ｺ
ｺ Length (dd/hh:mm:ss): 01/00:00:00 ｺ
ｺ Step Size (Min):
1.000000 ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ok ｳ
ｳ cancel ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
An approach most people use with the Delta-time mode is to pick a
2-3 minute time step and check the output for any passes near the
tracking station for that day. Then return back to the Delta-time
mode and use a smaller time step to obtain a better estimate of
the satellite visibility. Another method is to use the Analytical
Solution option see Chapter 8.
******************
23
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The time is read from the system clock, and as such is only as
accurate as the setting of this clock. The date and time should
be set before running TRAKSAT.
24
Chapter 7 (Main Menu Options)
TRAKSAT has many
such as plotting
plot. All of the
you from digging
options that you can change to suit your needs,
a lat/long grid or a satellite sensor coverage
output options can be set from one screen saving
into the program too deep.
The first menu option, Defaults will allow you to change the
basic startup values. These options include; what satellite to
start with and what output mode to use. The frequency used for
the Doppler shift calculations can be set here also. Below is an
example of the Defaults that can be set inside the program.
ﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｵ TRAKSAT Defaults ﾆﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ Satellite Name: Mir
ｺ
ｺ Freq Up (MHz): 145.000
ｺ
ｺ Freq Dn (MHz): 440.000
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Default Run Modes ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ (*) Tabular Screen Only
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Ground Track
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Star Background
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Orthographic Mode
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) 3D Earth View
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Multi-Sat Tabular Screen ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ ( ) Multi-Sat Ground Tracks ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ
ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ Ok ｳ
ｳ Cancel ｳ
ｳ Save ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
The next menu option, Program will allow you to set output
options. TRAKSAT can output date/times in either UTC or Local
based on the options. The options are saved in the INI file so
you should only have to set them once or so.
25
Below is an example screen of the Program options.
ﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｵ TRAKSAT Options ﾆﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｺﾚﾄﾄｴ Time Options ﾃﾄﾄｿﾚｴ Tabular Options ﾃｿｺ
ｺｳ (*) UTC TIMES
ｳｳ( ) Visible Only ｳｺ
ｺｳ ( ) Local Times
ｳｳ(*) All Passes
ｳｺ
ｺﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙｺ
ｺﾚｴ Plotting Options ﾃｿﾚｴ Star Direction ﾃﾄｿｺ
ｺｳ [猤 Grids
ｳｳ( ) North
ｳｺ
ｺｳ [猤 Sensor
ｳｳ( ) East
ｳｺ
ｺｳ [猤 Sun Terminator ｳｳ(*) South
ｳｺ
ｺｳ [猤 Star Names
ｳｳ( ) West
ｳｺ
ｺｳ [ ] User Stars
ｳﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙｺ
ｺｳ [猤 Internal Stars ｳﾚﾄｴ Star Plotting ﾃﾄｿｺ
ｺｳ [ ] Ra&Dec Output ｳｳ Magn. 4.5000 ｳｺ
ｺｳ
ｳｳ Refresh (Min) 15 ｳｺ
ｺﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙｺ
ｺ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｺ
ｺ
ｳ Ok ｳ
ｳ Cancel ｳ
ｳ Save ｳ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｺ
ｺ
ｺ
ﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
The plotting options include settings for all of the graphic
screens used in the program. Grids will turn on/off any grids or
either lat/long or azimuth/elevation. The Sensor will plot the
satellite footprint. You can adjust the size of the footprint by
setting the minimum sensor angle setting under the Station
options. You can use the internal stars or the external user
stars as required also. The last plotting option Ra&Dec Output
will only display the right ascension/declination of the
satellite in the Tabular modes ONLY. (The Star background option
will ALWAYS have it.)
Star Update Interval will set the desired interval between star
background updates. The recommended setting is 15 minutes. The
INI file has the default value. You can set the magnitude limit
for the Star Background plotting output from here also.
26
Chapter 8 (Main Menu Output Modes)
The Main Menu Output options will control the output modes
available in TRAKSAT. The output modes available are; Tabular,
Analytical Solution, Batch mode, Ground Track, Orthographic,
Tabular, 3D View, Star Background, Rendered Views, Multi-Satellite
Tabular and Ground Track.
From this menu screen you can select Tabular, Analytical, Batch
Mode, Ground Track, Star Background, 3D View, and Orthographic
modes. The first five options are text only and can be displayed
on screen, send to a file, or both at the same time. All Tabular
type output can go to screen, file, or both.
Below is an example of the tabular file output. The header
information in the file will help you remember what you ran.
TRAKSAT Version 4.00
Tabular Mode
Local Date/Time Run:
Element File:
Tracking Station:
Visibility Mode:
Satellite:
Sat Sep 24 12:00:53 1994
TLE.TXT
Harvest,AL
Line of Sight
Mir
UTC
Date
Time
Elev Azim
MM/DD/YY HH:MM:SS Deg Deg
Range Lat
Km
Deg
-09/24/94 10:44:00 2.0 216.3 2064
09/24/94 10:45:00 6.7 214.3 1653
09/24/94 10:46:00 13.1 210.9 1250
Rev #
20.0
22.9
25.7
Long
Deg
Alt Dopp Dopp Phz Sqt V
Km Up
Down 256 Ang
49147 --97.8 395
-95.2 395
-92.6 395
-438 -1330 224 -1 Y
-664 -2015 227 -1 Y
-887 -2693 230 -1 Y
The Lat and Long are the satellite latitude and longitude. The
Azim and Elev are azimuth and elevation as seen from the tracking
station, while the Range is the distance from the satellite to
the tracking station. Alt is the satellite altitude above the
earth.
The azimuth is always between 0 and 360 degrees with north being
0, east 90 south 180 and so on. The elevation will be always be
between -90 and +90 degrees. If the elevation is less than zero
the satellite is below the horizon as seen from the tracking
station.
The doppler shift comes about from the simple fact that both the
satellite and the ground station are in motion. The relative
motion between the station and the satellite causes either a
compression or expansion of a radio signal, this is called the
doppler shift. TRAKSAT will calculate a doppler shift for two
frequencies, uplink/downlink. The base frequency is listed in the
INI file under the section labeled [Defaults]. The output units
are in Hertz while the inputs are in MHz.
The phase angle, Phz is used for the amateur radio satellites.
The phase angle is based on the mean-anomaly, (the position in
the orbital plane from the perigee). The mean-anomaly is normally
27
measured from 0 to 360 degrees, however the phase angle is from 0
to 256ths of a circle. The conversion of degrees mean-anomaly to
phase angle is;
Phase = (mean anomaly (deg))/(360/256).
(256ths of circle)
It has become common practice with radio amateur satellites to
use Mean Anomaly to schedule satellite operations. Satellites
commonly change modes or turn on or off at specific places in
their orbits, specified by Mean Anomaly. Unfortunately, when
used this way, it is common to specify the mean anomaly in units
of 256ths of a circle instead of degrees. The phase angle is
therefore displayed in units of 256ths of a circle.
The Sqt is the squint angle, this is a measure of the angle from
the satellite antenna to your tracking station. The smaller the
angle means the antenna is pointing directly at you. A -1 output
means that no attitude information for that satellite is
available.
The last item displayed is based on if the satellite is visible
from the tracking station. See Chapter 13 for a complete
description of the methods used by TRAKSAT to test for
visibility.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
To stop the display the user can press the space bar and the
screen will "freeze". The user will need to press any key again
to continue the simulation. If the user presses Esc, escape key,
the simulation will stop and the user will be returned to the
Main Menu.
Analytical Solution
TRAKSAT version 2.00 and above has included a very powerful
option, Analytical Rise & Set. Many people have asked "why use
this analytical approach ?". Three reasons come to mind speed,
speed, and speed! The analytical approach used is a closed form
solution to the problem of determining when a satellite can be
seen (either LOS or Optical) by a ground tracking station. In
effect, this problem usually involves the calculation of the
rise-and-set time (UTC) of a given satellite from a specific
ground tracking station.
In the past, it has been the custom to solve the problem by
letting the satellite run through its ephemeris, and checking at
each instant to see whether the elevation angle of the satellite
was greater than some minimum value. However, by attacking the
problem from a different point of view, that is, with the
eccentric anomaly taken to be the independent variable, it is
possible to obtain a closed-form solution to the satellite
visibility problem. Specifically, the closed-form solution is a
single transcendental equation in the eccentric anomalies
corresponding to a rise-and-set time for a given orbital pass of
a satellite. It is more difficult to solve the controlling
equation than the standard Keplerian equation. However, the
28
method offers the advantage that the controlling equation is
solved only ONCE PER ORBIT PERIOD as contrasted with the hundreds
of times the Keplerian equation must be solved with the standard
step-by-step technique.
"How much faster is the analytical solution ?" Several
"benchmarks" were run using the same satellite data sets and
starting times to determine the speed of each method. If the user
selects the Delta Time Mode and then the Analytical Solution the
speed difference will be obvious.
On the machine used for testing (coprocessor installed) the
analytical solution runs about 4 seconds per satellite per 24
hours of simulation time vs. the 120 seconds per 24 hours in the
delta time mode. (This was on a 386/16 with a 287/8 coprocessor
and still produced a 3000% DECREASE in the time required.) (A
486/33 computer can crank out 20 satellites per second!) This
mode can really be boosted by a coprocessor, 3-6 times faster!
Use the analytical solution for "rough" estimates and the delta
time mode for the detailed analysis. The term "rough" implies
that the analytical solution is not as accurate as the Delta Time
mode, and in fact that is true. The error (Delta Time mode vs.
Analytical Solution) is usually LESS then 1 minute for predicted
rise or set times. The error is the price to pay for the speed
advantage.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
****************** The analytical
solution DOES INCLUDE THE DRAG EFFECTS in the calculations, (as
of TRAKSAT version 2.30). By including the drag effects in the
solution a long term prediction can be done without a great loss
of accuracy.
It has proved helpful for several TRAKSAT users to predict
several weeks into the future any visible passes and make a note
of the dates. As the date approaches and newer elements become
available the user can "improve" the viewing times to finally
obtain an accurate prediction of the satellites. Using this
approach the user can mark "special" days when a particular
satellite should be seen. The analytical solution will save the
user from "looking" for satellites that will not be seen, or
unfavorable passes.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
If the user selects the analytical solution AND any OPTICAL
visibility tests then only satellites with a mean motion of
greater than 2.5 revs per day will be calculated. That is any
satellite that is "near geosync." will not be calculated. This
should NOT be of to great importance to most users as seeing ANY
near geosync. satellites is VERY DIFFICULT. The line of sight
(LOS) method will still work for the near geosync. satellites. If
the user needs to "see" a near geosync. satellite then the single
satellite delta time mode OR Batch Mode will be required.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
29
******************
The analytical solution works by revs NOT so much time, by that I
mean that the program calculates at rev to rev time steps and
does NOT use the time step. This will also mean that if the user
were to set a one hour simulation length the program will find
some satellites outside this time interval because there are not
any satellites that can have a period of 60 minutes. (Don't be
alarmed by the longer than requested times in the output it is
normal operation.)
That is enough "horn blowing" let us look at an example. Below is
and example output from the analytical solution using the file
output option. The visibility method in this example was OPTICAL
while the starting date was 12-23-1993 @ 0 UTC hours. The end
time was 24 hours. The "header" at the top of the display will
show some vital information to the user. The tracking station
name and satellite data file name along with the visibility
method will be displayed to remind the user of the current
settings.
30
(Screen Output Option)
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｴ Analytical Solution Output ﾃﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ Visibility Mode: Line of Sight, Visible ONLY
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ Total Satellites: 763
Record: 1
ｳ
ｳ
UTC
ｳ
ｳ Satellite
Date
Time
Max Azm Azm Range Duration ｳ
ｳ Name
MM/DD/YY HH:MM:SS Ele Rise Set Km
HH:MM:SS ｳ
ｳ HST
09/23/94 12:43:04 11
W SE 1836 00:10:13 ｳ
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ Mir
09/23/94 13:19:40 9
W NE 1474 00:08:13 ｳ
ｳ Mir
09/23/94 14:58:52 3 NW NE 1979 00:05:20 ｳ
ｳ Mir
09/23/94 16:35:54 6 NW NE 1708 00:07:05 ｳ
ｳ Mir
09/23/94 18:11:40 28 NW
E
771 00:09:56 ｳ
ｳ Mir
09/23/94 19:49:39 21
W
S
945 00:07:55 ｳ
ｳ HST
09/23/94 05:54:27 11 SW
E 1819 00:10:21 ｳ
ｳ HST
09/23/94 07:35:28 27 SW
E 1143 00:12:24 ｳ
ｳ HST
09/23/94 09:17:31 36
W
E
931 00:12:48 ｳ
ｳ HST
09/23/94 11:04:33 26 SW SE 1151 00:07:47 ｳ
ｳ
ｳ
ｳ
Press Esc to Quit
ｳ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
TRAKSAT Version 4.00
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The user can NOT stop/start the screen as in the other modes,
i.e., pressing Esc will STOP the display and terminate the
analytical solution. This method was chosen to avoid
inadvertently waiting for the screen to update while in a pause
mode. The screen update can be slow on an Optical visibility test
and a NON-coprocessor equipped machine. (There may not be any
satellites optically visible at all!)
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The default is to write output to the file TRAKSAT.000. If this
file name exists the program will try TRAKSAT.001, TRAKSAT.002...
and so on until a new file name is found. If the limit of 999 is
reached then the program will use 000 as the extension AND OVER
WRITE THE FILE. (All options will use this file naming method.)
All/Group Satellites
You have the choice with the analytical solution options to
select all of the satellites in the data file or some user
defined groups of satellites. The default will be to read ALL of
the satellites for these options. You can define your "favorite"
satellites, up to 25 satellites per group can be included. You
will need to use a word processor to edit the TRAKSAT.INI file
and add the satellites names to it. The word processor used will
need to save the file in PLAIN ASCII format, i.e., NO SPECIAL
CONTROL CHARACTERS EXCEPT THE END OF FILE MARKER. The DOS EDIT
word processor will do the job nicely for the user. Batch Mode
31
Output
TRAKSAT version 2.55 and above has included a new option, called
Batch Mode. This option is similar to the Tabular Output mode but
can be used on all or a group of satellites. The method used in
this option is; enter into the delta time mode and select the
starting date/time and length of the simulation. The next step is
to select Batch Mode from the Output options. The program will
prompt the user for some additional information and then run each
satellite through the delta tabular mode one at a time.
The output from this option can go to the screen, file, or both.
Below is an example of the file output created with this option.
The starting date/time was 12-26-94 00:00:00 UTC to 00:04:00 UTC
by one minute steps.
The output parameters are same as the tabular output but without
the rev. number. If no passes are visible just the satellite name
will be printed.
(Batch Mode File Output)
TRAKSAT Version 4.00
Batch Mode
Local Date/Time Run: Sat Sep 24 17:40:34 1994
Element File:
TLE.TXT
Tracking Station:
Harvest,AL
Visibility Mode:
Line of Sight
UTC
Date
Time
Elev Azim Range Lat
Long
MM/DD/YY HH:MM:SS Deg Deg
Km
Deg
Deg
1994059B
09/24/94
09/24/94
09/24/94
STS 64
09/24/94
09/24/94
00:00:00 -43.5 294.4
00:02:00 -39.7 297.1
00:04:00 -35.8 299.9
Alt Dopp Dopp Phz Sqt V
Km Up
Down 256 Ang
9147 20.3 169.4
8540 26.8 174.1
7899 33.1 179.5
255
256
258
2305
2398
2453
6995 46 93
7277 51 94
7444 57 95
00:00:00 -52.9 288.4 10504 4.2 158.4
00:02:00 -49.2 291.3 9998 11.0 162.4
257
258
1925
2110
5841 55 89
6404 61 91
(Editors note)
The idea for this new option was inspired from searching for a
satellite trail left on a CCD captured graphics image file. The
date, "rough" time, and position of the "exposure" were known but
no idea on what the satellite was that passed through the image.
Using the Batch Mode and a satellite data set from that time
period the satellite was found. The idea of going through the
satellite file one satellite at a time was just too much! So out
came the Batch Mode to help in this kind of search.
Here is another use for the Batch Mode; one night I was tracking
IRAS passing north to south over head when another satellite came
into view heading almost opposite the path of IRAS. I actually
saw two different satellites at the same time! I wish I had the
Batch Mode at that time, it would have been easy to discover that
unknown satellite.
32
Ground Track Output
If the ground track option is entered the program proceeds to
draw a Mercator projection map of the world. The upper left
corner is at latitude 90 degrees and longitude -180 degrees,
while the lower right corner is latitude -90 degrees and
longitude 180 degrees. The grid spacing is 10 degrees for
latitude and longitude. A box will be plotted for the current
tracking station.
The plotting process may take a minute or two on a slow AT type
computer, something under 1/3 second on the particular computer I
use. (486-33 MHz.)
You have the option of redrawing the ground track after "X"
number of revs have been completed. The default is 0 = NONE,
however the user can chose between 0 and 99 revs for the screen
refresh rate. If the user picks 2 rev refresh rate then after two
revs are completed the screen will be redrawn. This option will
prove useful for those users who like to leave the ground track
running for long periods of time and do not like all the screen
clutter. The setting is in the INI file under the section
[Program Defaults] and is called Rev Update Interval. Several
plotting options are used with this output selection see Chapter
2 for a listing of the options.
The sun terminator is not dependent on the satellite but rather
the tracking station. The terminator is plotted based on a zero
sun elevation angle. (That is to say the terminator is the line
where the top edge of the sun is "just" below the local horizon.)
The terminator is accurate to about 5-10 minutes of actual. The
effects of the local horizon and atmospheric refraction can
"shift" the terminator a few minutes anyway so great accuracy may
not be achieved. The sun is plotted as an box in the center of
the terminator. This will tell the user on what side of the
terminator the tracking station is on. (Daylight or darkness.)
The sun terminator will be refreshed every 4 minutes in either
the real or delta time modes. The refresh may take several
seconds on the slower machines.
As of TRAKSAT version 2.70 and above an antenna/sensor coverage
plot option is included with the ground track. The user can
include the antenna/sensor coverage if desired along with a
minimum elevation angle to be used in determining the coverage
area.
Star Background Output
The star background is a view looking from the tracking site
towards the stars. This plot will be useful for producing a "star
map" to take outside with you to compare the night sky with the
satellite path.
Several Star Background plotting options are available such as,
display the visible star names, what direction to look, i.e.,
North, East, South, or West, or the star background screen
refresh rate. (Only the internal star data names will be
displayed, not the external star data.) The field of view of the
33
star background is 180 degrees in azimuth and 0 through 90
degrees in elevation. If you select North the visible range of
the azimuth will be 270 degrees (west) to 90 degrees (east). If
you select East the visible range of the azimuth will be 0
degrees (north) to 180 degrees (south) with 90 degrees being the
center of the screen (due east). The option South will display
from 90 degrees (east) to 270 degrees (west). The option for West
will display from 180 degrees to 360 degrees with 270 degrees
(west) being the center of the screen (due west).
An example could be to see a satellite rise out of the west the
user would select W, that will display from due south through
west to the north.
The star background option will display visible stars from a
database of 58 navigational stars, the Sun, the planets, and the
moon. (Not including any external star data.)
TRAKSAT has the data for 58 stars in memory at all times however
you can read a external star data file (STAR6A.BIN). This file
has all the stars up to magnitude 6.0, some 5100 stars in all. In
order to use the external stars the file STAR6A.BIN MUST be in
the same directory as the EXE file. You must also select the
option to use the external stars. If you do NOT have a coprocessor using the external stars will slow down the screen
update.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The program can save the screen display to a PCX file by pressing
the "P" key. The program will save to a new file the screen
image. The PCX file can be used in other programs or printed with
some paint-type programs.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
It is noted that the star background will be refreshed (USER
DEFINED) minutes, in either delta or real time modes. It is
therefore wise to select a starting time about 1 minute PRIOR to
the time of interest and run the program in the delta mode until
PAST the time of interest. An example of this would be;
Time of interest 11:30:00 UTC,
Starting time 11:29:00 UTC,
Time span 00:14:00.
This will provide the user with the "sky map" from 11:29 to
11:43 UTC and avoid the screen refresh.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
To stop the display the user can press the space bar and the
screen will "freeze". The user will need to press any key again
to continue the simulation. If the user presses ESC, escape key,
the simulation will stop and the user will be returned to the
Main Menu.
34
Output Orthographic View
If the user selects the Orthographic View Main Menu a 3-D
orthographic projection of the earth and the satellite will be
drawn. The perspective will be centered on the satellite. A small
"X" will mark the tracking station coordinates. The grid lines
are drawn 10 degrees apart with the orthographic projections. The
screen will be updated based on the satellite altitude and how
much it has moved from the last update. The Sun terminator can be
plotted on this view also.
****************************************************************
THE 3-D PROJECTION WILL BE SLOW ON AT TYPE COMPUTERS WITHOUT A
COPROCESSOR SO IF THE USER DOES NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR THE COMPLETE
EARTH TO PLOT OUT PRESS ANY KEY AND THE EARTH LAND MASS PLOT WILL
STOP AND THE SATELLITE VIEW WILL START. (Only the grid lines will
be displayed.)
****************************************************************
The screen can be stopped and started the same way as any other
graphic modes, i.e., space bar to freeze and Esc to stop.
3D View
New with this version is a 3D view. The output mode will center
the screen over the current tracking station and hold the earth
still while the satellite will pass around the earth. This view
is the best output for the Delta-Time modes.
Rendered Views
These views are the most breath taking and the best quality or
all output modes. It is also the most hardware required option in
the program. ALL OF THESE RENDERED VIEWS REQUIRE A 256 COLOR
DISPLAY AND VESA GRAPHICS MODES. The views are centered on the
satellite or the current tracking station. These views have the
Sun/Shadow in full color and are quite a improvement over past
versions of the program.
35
Chapter 9 (Multi Modes)
TRAKSAT has several multi-modes of operation besides the single
satellite modes. The modes are Multi-Satellite Tabular or Ground
Tracks, and Multi-Station modes. The program reads the INI file
for the names of the satellites to look for or you can select the
Load Multi-Sat option to make changes to the satellites. Below is
an example of this screen.
ﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｵ Load Multi-Satellites ﾆﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｺﾉﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｻ
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994049A
1-> Mir
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994046B
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994048D
ｱ 2-> AO-13
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994048C
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994048B
ｱ 3-> NOAA 12
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994048A
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994047B
ｱ 4->
ｺ
ｺｺ DIRECTV
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ APEX
ｱ 5->
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994045B
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ Cosmos 2285
ｱ 6->
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994044B
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ Cosmos 2284
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994043B
ｱ
ｺ
ｺｺ APSTAR A1
ｱ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ﾚﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄｿ
ｺ
ｺｺ Cosmos 2283
ｱ
ｳ ok ｳ
ｳ save ｳ
ｳ cancel ｳ
ｺ
ｺｺ 1994041B
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ﾀﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾄﾙ
ｺ
ｺﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
ｺ
ﾈﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍﾍｼ
To make changes to the Multi-Satellite list select the desired
satellite and then press one of the number buttons. The satellite
name will be placed to the right of the button and this will be
one of the multi-satellites now.
Multi-Satellite Tabular Output
As of TRAKSAT version 2.30 and above a tabular multi-tracking
mode has been included. The output is in text rather than a
graphic display mode. Below is an example of the multi-tracking
tabular output mode. The different satellites will be displayed
in different colors also, the colors are the same as the ground
track options.
Multi-Satellite Ground Track Output
If the ground track option is chosen the program will proceed to
plot the tracks on the world map. The plots are very similar to
the single satellite plots, except that for every satellite a
different colored line is drawn. The user can select a satellite
to display the current data bye pressing the up/down arrows. The
colors will change as will the satellite name on the bottom of
the screen.
Multi-Station Text Mode
36
You may select a Multi-Station mode also. This mode will display
the current tracking data for up to three different stations.
This mode is useful for setting-up satellite communications for
two different stations. The date/time are based on the first
station, number 1, UTC Offset.
37
Chapter 10 (Registration/Updates)
TRAKSAT is Shareware and your support is required. You would be
amazed at the reasons people give for not registering the
program. Some of the more funny ones are; (THESE ARE ACTUAL
QUOTES FROM LETTERS OR TELEPHONE CALLS AND EVEN FACE-TO-FACE
MEETINGS. The names have been removed to protect their identity.)
"Your fee ($25.00) is too low and I think it is worth much more
so until the price goes up I'm not going to register."
"Your fee is too high, I can not afford to register and buy that
new computer also."
"I do not know how to register the program as I'm new to
computers."
"I only use TRAKSAT once or twice a week so I don't use it enough
to register."
"I have been using TRAKSAT for many years and think it is the
best program I have used for satellite tracking but I don't get
anything EXTRA for the registration fee."
"I lost the registration form."
"I'll send you a check soon."
"The check is in the mail."
"My brother/wife/son/friend registered so I'm using their copy."
"I think the program will not do what I want but I use it because
it is free."
"The program has too many features that I do not need so I will
send $5.00 to register."
"Send me the registered copy and I'll see if it suit my needs
then I'll register the program."
The user can obtain the latest version (NON-registered) of
TRAKSAT from several BBSs around the country. The BBSs listed in
Chapter 11 list several places to obtain the current version.
Compuserve has TRAKSAT and many other related files also. (Try
the HAM or the ASTRONOMY file areas.) You may even register
TRAKSAT on Compuserve.
TRAKSAT will be updated 1-2 times a year with update notices
going out to registered users only. Order forms are at the end of
this document and in the file ORDER.FRM also.
38
Chapter 11 (Obtaining NORAD Satellite Elements/Format)
Format of NORAD/NASA 2-Line Satellite Data
NORAD maintains general perturbation element sets on all resident
space objects. These element sets are periodically refined so as
to maintain a reasonable prediction capability on all space
objects. In turn, these element sets are provided to users.
The element data will be maintained in ASCII format in a file.
Data for each satellite will consist of three lines in the
following format:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 1 NNNNNU NNNNNAAA NNNNN.NNNNNNNN +.NNNNNNNN
+NNNNN-N +NNNNN-N N NNNNN 2 NNNNN NNN.NNNN NNN.NNNN NNNNNNN
NNN.NNNN NNN.NNNN NN.NNNNNNNNNNNNNN
Line 1 is a 20-character name. Lines 2 and 3 are the standard
Two-Line Orbital Element Set Format identical to that used by
NASA and NORAD. The format description is:
Line 2
Column
01-01
03-07
10-11
year)
12-14
15-17
19-20
21-32
34-43
45-52
54-61
used.
63-63
65-68
69-69
Description
Line Number of Element Data
Satellite Number
International Designator (Last two digits of launch
International Designator (Launch number of the year)
International Designator (Piece of launch)
Epoch Year (Last two digits of year)
Epoch (Julian Day and fractional portion of the day)
First Time Derivative of the Mean Motion (rev/day^2)
or Ballistic Coefficient (Depending of ephemeris type)
Second Time Derivative of Mean Motion (Blank if N/A)
BSTAR drag term if GP4 general perturbation theory was
Otherwise, radiation pressure coefficient.
Ephemeris type
Element number
Check Sum (Modulo 10)
(Letters, blanks, periods=0; minus sign=1; plus
sign=2)
Line 3
Column
Description
01-01
03-07
09-16
18-25
27-33
35-42
44-51
53-63
64-68
69-69
Line Number of Element Data
Satellite Number
Inclination [Degrees]
Right Ascension of the Ascending Node [Degrees]
Eccentricity (decimal point assumed)
Argument of Perigee [Degrees]
Mean Anomaly [Degrees]
Mean Motion [Revs per day]
Revolution number at epoch [Revs]
Check Sum (Modulo 10)
All other columns are blank or fixed.
39
Example:
NOAA
6 1 11416U
86 50.28438588 0.00000140
67960-4 0
5293 2 11416 98.5105 69.3305 0012788 63.2828 296.9658 14.24899292346978
The following locations have the current satellite data files;
You can obtain elements by several different means, perhaps the
best way is to download them from a BBS or the Internet using a
modem. If you do not have Internet access get it NOW!
The following BBS's have the current satellite data files;
Canadian Space Society
Canada
SYSOP:
905-458-5907
24 hours, 9600/2400 baud,
8 bit NO parity 1 stop.
Clear Skies
Madison, WI
SYSOP: David Mullenix
608-249-7130
24 hours, 14400/9600/2400/1200 baud,
8 bit NO parity 1 stop.
CompuServe, (Astronomy and Hamnet forums)
800-848-8990 (Customer Service)
24 hours, 9600/2400/1200 baud,
7 bit Even parity 1 stop.
Datalink RBBS System
Dallas, Texas
SYSOP: Dr. Jeff Wallach
214-394-7438
24 hours, 28800/14400/9600/2400/1200 baud,
8 bit NO parity 1 stop.
NASA OIG RAID RBBS (Write to get account)
Goddard Space Flight Center/Project Operations Branch/513
ATTN: Orbital Information Group
GreenBelt, MD 20771
NASA Spacelink BBS
Huntsville, AL
SYSOP:
205-895-0028
24 hours, 14400/9600/2400/1200 baud,
8 bit NO parity 1 stop.
RPV BBS
Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca.
SYSOP: Dave Ransom Jr.
310-541-7299 or 310-544-8977
24 hours, 28800/14400/9600/2400 baud,
8 bit NO parity 1 stop.
40
Internet Systems:
WinTrak Pro/TRAKSAT Home Pages
http://www.hsv.tis.net/~wintrak
This is the best spot to get satellite elements and any program
information.
NASA/Goddard Orbital Info Group
Telnet: gsfcbbs.gsfc.nasa.gov
Login: gsfc
Password: goddard1
Celestial Elements
Anom FTP: archive.afit.af.mil OR 129.92.1.66
Other FTP/WWW Sites With Elements:
ftp://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/pub/sat/tle
ftp://kilroy.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/space/elements/satelem
http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov/Instructional.Materials/Software/
Tracking.Elements/Satellite.Tracking.Elements
AMSAT Home Page
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/AmsatHome.html
Satellite Tracking Resources
http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~iburrell/sat/sattrack.html
Amateur Radio Operator
http://www.amateurradio.com/index.html
NASA Orbitel Information Group
http://oigsysop.atsc.allied.com/
The Amateur Satellite Observers of Southeast Virginia (USA)
http://jebyrd.larc.nasa.gov/
Jonathan's Space Report
http://hea-www.harvard.edu/QEDT/jcm/jsr.html
Expendable Launch Vehicles
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/elvpage.htm
Visual Satellite Observer's Home Page
http://www.ipp-garching.mpg.de/~bdp/vsohp/satintro.html
The Global Positioning System (GPS)
http://wwwhost.cc.utexas.edu/ftp/pub/grg/gcraft/notes/gps/gps.html
NASA Spacelink - An Electronic Information System for Educators
http://spacelink.msc.nasa.gov
NASA - JSC Digital Image Collection
http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/html/home.htm
NASA Shuttle Web
http://shuttle.nasa.gov/
41
The RPV BBS is one of the best systems for satellite tracking
information particularly for the Shuttle flights. This BBS has
more current Shuttle elements than any other BBS open to the
public. TRAKSAT will always be available on the RPV BBS.
Obtaining Elements From the NASA BBS
The following is a partial extract from the notice sent out by
the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Orbital Information Group.
Interested users should write to the address given and request
access to the RBBS; include your full name and address with your
request.
The NASA OIG RBBS has four lines operating in rotation. A modem
and software is required to download data. The RBBS operates at
9600/2400/1200 baud. You MUST write for access and password; you
cannot call and log on without having first received that
information by mail from NASA OIG!
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
Note that the format used on RBBS for two-line orbital elements
is slightly different from that required by programs like TRAKSAT
and STSORBIT. One program that will "fix" the file format is
called ORBITEL and can be found on the RPV BBS. The file is
called OExxxx.ZIP. (The xxxx will be the version number such as
9352.)
For some time the Orbital Information Group's Reports and
Information Dissemination (RAID) section has been developing an
electronic bulletin board as a way to reduce our cost of
providing orbital elements to users worldwide, in addition to
providing mail users with an around-the-clock way to obtain the
latest two-line element set iteration.
Development and enhancement of the electronic bulletin board is
completed, and activation was on September 16, 1991. The official
name of the RAID Bulletin Board System is RBBS. Effective
immediately, ALL USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE THE RBBS INSTEAD OF
THE MAIL SERVICE.
Those who use the service and find it serves their needs or is an
acceptable alternative to the slower and more costly mail
service, should advise us to drop them from mail distribution.
This may be done by advising the RBBS SYSOP or by sending a
letter. Users may not continue to use the RBBS and to receive
mail service.
The RBBS permits users of our NASA Prediction Bulletins and Twoline Orbital Elements (TLE's) access to the latest element set
provided to us, avoiding the mail delay, in addition to allowing
a user the flexibility of accessing the two-line element set of
choice. One may obtain the latest two-line element set iteration
around-the-clock from anywhere in the world, via telephone modem.
42
Correspondence regarding our service should be sent to:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Project Operations Branch/513
Attn: Orbital Information Group
Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA
The RBBS is updated with revised TLE's on the following schedule:
Monday
TLE's revised between 12:00 GMT Friday and 12:00 GMT
Monday.
Wednesday
TLE's revised between 12:00 GMT Monday and 12:00 GMT
Wednesday.
Friday
TLE's revised between 12:00 GMT Monday and 12:00 GMT
Friday.
Should a holiday fall on a day that the RBBS is scheduled to be
updated with the latest TLE's, updating will be done on the next
Monday through Friday working day.
43
Chapter 12 (Satellite Magnitudes/Frequencies)
Below is a list of some satellites that are "good hunting" for
the optical users. (First timers should look for the smallest
magnitude satellites, i.e., Mir, Kvant-1, HST.)
Norad
ID#
00694
01001
01359
03598
04597
04622
04786
04966
05994
06155
06212
06779
08074
10967
12054
12069
12363
12445
12465
12497
13007
15423
15772
16182
16609
16615
16910
17358
17369
17528
17590
17845
17974
18187
18441
19120
19274
Vis
Mag*
3.0
3.3
3.3
3.0
3.3
3.3
1.9
2.3
.9
3.0
2.7
3.0
1.6
3.0
2.4
3.0
3.0
3.0
-1.6
3.0
3.0
2.5
2.9
2.5
-.4
3.2
2.8
2.9
3.3
3.1
2.5
-.4
2.5
3.3
2.5
2.5
3.3
Satellite Name
Atlas Centaur 2
Transtage 3
Transtage 4
OAO 2 R/B
Cosmos 374 R/B
Cosmos 375 R/B
Cosmos 382
Cosmos 398
Pageos
OAO 3 R/B (Copernicus R/B)
1972-076A Radcat
IntelSat 4 F-3 R/B
Pageos 1 DEB (Pageos H)
SeaSat 1
Cosmos 1220
FltSatCom 4 R/B
Comstar 4 R/B
IntelSat 5-2 R/B
Cosmos 1271 R/B
IntelSat 5-1 R/B
IntelSat 5-3 R/B
KH 11-6
Cosmos 1656 R/B(4)
Cosmos 1697 R/B
Mir Space Station
Spot 1 R/B
EGP/JAS-1 R/B
Cosmos 1603 R/B(4)
Cosmos 1818
MOS-1 R/B
Cosmos 1833 R/B
Kvant-1 (part of Mir)
Cosmos 1844 R/B
Cosmos 1867
KH 11-7
Cosmos 1943 R/B
Okean 1
19460
19461
19625
19650
19671
19911
20147
20261
20322
20335
20443
20491
20516
20523
3.3
3.3
2.5
.7
1.8
2.7
2.4
3.3
1.8
-.4
3.1
3.1
2.0
3.0
USA 32
USA 32 R/B
KH 11-8
Cosmos 1980 R/B
Lacrosse
Delta Star
Cosmos 2033
In-Cosmos 24
Cosmic Background Explorer
Kvant-2 (part of Mir)
Spot 2 R/B
MOS-1B R/B
USA 53
IntelSat 6-3
44
20525
20580
20625
20635
20638
20683
20765
20963
20985
21015
21065
21147
21148
21213
21225
21311
21610
21638
21653
21662
21700
2.4
-.8
2.5
-.4
3.2
3.2
2.4
2.0
2.4
2.5
2.4
1.8
2.9
2.2
2.8
-.4
3.1
-1.1
3.0
-.4
-1.1
Cosmos 2060
Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
Cosmos 2082 R/B
Kristall Module (part of Mir)
ROSAT
Gamma
Cosmos 2096
USA 67 (STS-38 Payload)
Cosmos 2107
Cosmos 2112 R/B
Cosmos 2122
Lacrosse 2
Lacrosse 2 R/B
Almaz 1 radar spacecraft
Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO)
Soyuz TM-12 (part of Mir)
ERS-1 R/B
STS-43 (landed)
Intelsat-6
Progress M9 (part of Mir)
STS-48 (landed)
* This magnitude is an approximation, it assumes 75%
illumination
of the satellite and 900 Km slant range.
Below are some frequencies used by satellites for different
reasons.
Freq. (MHz)
29.357
29.360-400
29.407
29.410-450
29.454
29.458
136.380
136.770
137.050
137.500
137.626
143.625
145.550
145.825
145.825-975
435.651
Satellite
RS-10
RS-10
RS-11
RS-11
RS-12
RS-13
GOES 1/2/3
NOAA 11
Meteosat 1
NOAA 10/12
NOAA 9/11
Mir
Shuttle
OSCAR 13
RS-14
OSCAR 13
Type
Amateur
"
"
"
"
"
Weather
"
"
"
"
Manned
"
Amateur
"
"
Mode
CW
SSB/CW
CW
SSB/CW
CW
CW
APT
APT
APT
APT
APT
FM/Voice
FM/Voice
CW
FM/PACSAT
CW/PACKET
435.715-999
1227.6
1614
OSCAR 13
GPS
GEOS
"
DOD
Weather
CW/SSB
Data
TLM
45
Chapter 13 (Odds and Ends)
A brief note about tracking satellites.
The accuracy of the data is the most important part of the
prediction process. NORAD does track some 8000+ objects in orbit
around the earth, and maintains a data base of the objects. The
earth modeling and perturbations are the most important factors
in satellite tracking. This program uses the NORAD element sets
mainly because they are available and have reasonably good
accuracy.
If the user would like to "see" a satellite in the night sky the
precision of 1 or 2 seconds is not important, several minutes may
not even be that important. This is not to say that the average
person can not locate the satellite, it is going to pass over
some site sooner or later, its the time of the passing that is of
importance.
It could be said that if you tell me where to look for the
satellite and tell me about when I should be looking for it the
chances are it will be spotted. The sky is a big place and it
would be almost impossible to locate a satellite without any help
from programs such as TRAKSAT.
In order to observe satellites the user must do a certain amount
of pre-observing work. The best way to determine an evening's
viewing would be to run the Analytical Solution and use all of
the satellites in a data file. Then exit the program and search
the output for any satellites with minimum ranges about 1000 km
or less. Most nights several satellites will be visible and meet
the users requirements. (Some advanced users may use 2000 km as
the minimum range but remember the brightness of these satellites
can make them almost invisible.)
The next step would be plot out star background maps for the
selected satellites, or a tabular output. All the user needs now
is to wait until the appointed time and go "hunting" for the
satellites.
This process only takes a few minutes and can greatly reduce the
frustration levels new users may experience.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The satellite attitude is a measure of how the satellite is
oriented in space, for most satellites it is oriented so that its
sensor/antennas point toward earth. TRAKSAT assumes that the
satellite maintains a constant orientation with respect to the
earth, i.e., that it's sensor/antennas point towards the center
of the earth, (true of some, BUT NOT ALL satellites). Version
3.00 and above includes an option for calculating the squint
angle. This angle is a measure of how far from the center of the
satellite antenna you are pointed. If the squint angle is zero
that means the satellite antenna is pointed directly at you. The
OSCAR series of satellites uses the squint angle to determine if
you can access the satellite for comm. links.
46
If the user selects 10 degrees as the minimum elevation angle for
the antenna/sensor a circle will be placed around the satellite
surface point indicating when the elevation will be above 10
degrees as seen from the ground site.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
If the user selects any graphic output the program will test for
a graphics adapter and based on the type of graphics hardware
will select the "highest" standard graphics mode supported. You
may override these options by setting the INI file with the
desired video mode. Some of the higher resolution modes require
special hardware to run. You may damage your hardware if you
exceed its capabilities. do not attempt to set any graphic modes
above 640x480 (VGA) without ensuring that you monitor can safely
handle that resolution. Otherwise, you may risk damaging your
display monitor. Consult your owner's manual for details.
An example of the standard graphics modes would be;
VGA mode 640x480 pixels,
EGA mode 640x350 pixels,
CGA mode 640x200 pixels,
If the hardware does NOT support graphics an error message will
be displayed and the program will return to the Main Menu. All of
the text modes will still be available however. In this program
the Long is the satellites longitude, positive (+) means EAST
longitude while negative (-) means WEST longitude.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
The Ra & Dec are based on the J2000 epoch, 1,1.5,2000 UTC date,
and are NOT user selectable, perhaps in the next version of
TRAKSAT. The J2000 epoch is the "current" epoch on most star
charts.
The option has been added to TRAKSAT version 1.5, and up, to
display only the visible passes, based on the setting of the
visibility options.
The output, in the tabular modes, can display Ra & Dec of the
satellite also. The coordinate used is based on J2000 epoch, this
was chosen to be used with "current" star charts.
Visibility Options Used in TRAKSAT
There are three different methods used by TRAKSAT to determine
visibility. The first method is simply when the elevation is
greater than the tracking station minimum elevation angle. This
method is called line of sight (LOS) in the program. This method
would be suitable for monitoring satellite radio transmissions,
interesting RF signals no doubt. It should be noted that at most
tracking sites zero degrees elevation is not visible due to
ground based obstructions, i.e. trees buildings, and other such
47
objects. A rule of thumb is if you hold out your arm straight and
stick out your thumb horizontal to the ground so it appears to
touch the horizon the upper edge of your thumb is about two
degrees elevation, while your closed fist is about ten degrees
elevation.
The second method, optical visibility, requires the satellite to
be above the minimum elevation setting also, however the
satellite must be sun-lit while the tracking station is in
darkness. This method would be used for viewing satellites with
the aid of say binoculars.
Remember that three conditions must be meet for the satellite to
be optically visible.
1. The elevation angle to the satellite must be above
the minimum as seen from the tracking station.
2. The sun must be BELOW the twilight setting.
The recommended twilight setting is -12・
3. The satellite must "see" the sun or the satellite must
be in the sun light not the earth shadow.
The third method uses the same conditions as the second option
(Optical) but adds a range test also. You can set the maximum
range for each station and filter out un-wanted passes based on
range.
It is of interest to note that some satellites are NOT visible
even if the elevation angle is above the horizon, because they
are in the earth's shadow. It is difficult to observe a satellite
"coming out" of the earth's shadow, it is easier to see the
entrance into the shadow.
If the lighting conditions are favorable a "bright" satellite can
be seen with the naked eye also. The best time for these
favorable lighting conditions usually occur an hour before sun
rise or an hour after sun set, as seen at the tracking site. The
best type of satellite is low, about 250 - 500 kilometer
altitude, ones for naked eye observations. (Mir, Hubble, Shuttle
are a good examples.)
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
****************** The recommended
twilight setting is -12・ i.e., the sun is greater than or equal
to -12 degrees BELOW the local horizon, to determine the lighting
conditions. The user CAN change the type of twilight used in
TRAKSAT, i.e., civil, nautical, or astrodynamic, when using the
optical visibility options.
The type of visibility can be set from the Station/Current
option, the default is to use the LOS method.
With either method the visual magnitude is NOT calculated. Such a
calculation would require knowledge about the emissivity of the
satellite, and atmospheric conditions, neither of which is readily
48
available to the user.
The Propagation Models
Two mathematical models for prediction are used by TRAKSAT. The
first of these, SGP4, was developed by Ken Cranford in 1970 (see
Lane and Hoots 1979) and is used for near-Earth satellites. This
model was obtained by simplification of the more extensive
analytical theory of Lane and Cranford (1969) which uses the
solution of Brouwer (1959) for its gravitational model and a
power density function for its atmospheric model (see Lane,
1962).
The next model, SDP4, is an extension of SGP4 to be used for
deep-space satellites. The deep-space equations were developed
by Hujsak (1979) and model the gravitational effects of the moon
and sun as well as certain sectoral and tesseral Earth harmonics
which are of particular importance for half-day and one-day
period orbits.
Compatibility With NORAD Element Sets
The NORAD element sets are currently generated with either SGP4
or SDP4 depending on whether the satellite is near-Earth or deepspace.
For SGP4 and SDP4 users, the mean motion is first recovered from
its altered form and the drag effect is obtained from the SGP4
drag term (B*) with the pseudo-drag term being ignored. The
value of the mean motion can be used to determine whether the
satellite is near-Earth or deep-space (and hence whether SGP4 or
SDP4 was used to generate the element set). From this
information the program will decide whether to use SGP4 or SDP4
for propagation and hence be assured of agreement with NORAD
predictions.
Program Limitations and Assumptions
The ephemeris equations DO include the zonal harmonics, through
2nd order, of the gravitational potential. This implies a
gravitational field produced by an oblate spheroidal earth
unsymmetrical with respect to the equator, pear-shaped. In other
words, the ephemeris equations contain J2, J3, and J4 terms. The
currently accepted values of J2, J3, and J4, which are used in
TRAKSAT, are;
-3
J2 = 1.082616 X 10
-6
J3 = -2.53881 X 10
-6
J4 = -1.65597 X 10.
The earth equatorial radius used by TRAKSAT is; 6378.135 Km,
while the flattening factor used is 1/298.257 (both are from the
1972 WGS models).
49
The program TRAKSAT models only ELLIPTICAL orbital motion about
the earth. That is, the orbital eccentricity MUST BE LESS THAN
ONE and GREATER THAN ZERO. Very small eccentricities are
acceptable, i.e., such as 0.0000001.
TRAKSAT will propagate NORAD/NASA 2-line elements until the MEAN
altitude above the earth reaches 160 Km. This is due to the fact
that at 160 Km altitude the satellite will decay from orbit very
soon. The prediction process is not as accurate for such a low
satellite. (The remaining lifetime of a low satellite could be on
the order of a day or less.) The mean altitude is based on the
semi-major axis of both the earth and the satellite.
Stars Used in TRAKSAT
The star background option will use the following list of stars
for the display. (Internal stars)
Bayer Name
---------Ursae Minoris
Andromedae
Phoenicis
Cassiopeiae
Ceti
Eridani
Arietis
Eridani
Ceti
Persei
Tauri
Orionis
Aurigae
Orionis
Tauri
Orionis
Orionis
Carinae
Canis Majoris
Canis Majoris
Canis Minoris
Geminorum
Carinae
Lambda Velae
Carinae
Proper Name
----------Polaris
Alpheratz
Ankaa
Schedar
Diphda/Deneb Kaito
Achernar
Hamal
Acamar
Menkar
Mirfak
Aldebaran
Rigel
Capella
Bellatrix
Elnath
Alnilam
Betelgeuse
Canopus
Sirius
Adhara
Procyon
Pollux
Avior
Suhail
Miaplacidus
Hydrae
Leonis
Ursae Majoris
Leonis
Corvi
Crucis
Crucis
Ursae Majoris
Virginis
Ursae Majoris
Centauri
Centauri
Bo 杯 es
Centauri A
Alphard
Regulus
Dubhe
Denebola
Gienah
ACrux
GaCrux
Alioth
Spica
Alkaid
Hadar
Menkent
Arcturus
Rigil Kentaurus
50
Librae
Ursae Minoris
Coronae Borealis
Scorpii A
Triangulii
Ophiuchi
Lambda Scorpii
Ophiuchi
Draconis
Sagittarii
Lyrae
Sagittarii
Aqilae
Pavonis
Cygni
Pegasi
Gruis
Piscis Austrini
Pegasi
Zubenelgenubi
Kochab
Alphecca
Antares
Atria
Sabik
Shaula
Rasalhague
Eltanin
Kaus Australis
Vega
Nunki
Altair
Peacock
Deneb
Enif
Al Na ir
Fomalhaut
Markab
Accuracy of TRAKSAT
Several people have asked the question; " How accurate is TRAKSAT
?". To answer such a question one must define a set of limits.
The real "acid test" is to have a prediction from TRAKSAT and
then go outside and observe that satellite, taking note of the
time and position of the satellite. A comparison between actual
observed data and predicted can then be determined.
Another approach is to compare the output from TRAKSAT against
several other satellite tracking programs. Both the public domain
and the commercial markets have several good tracking programs
that the user could compare with.
The later approach, that is the comparison between tracking
programs, has been carried out by several people including
myself. The output from TRAKSAT compares very well with many of
the "current" tracking programs (both commercial and public
domain). It could be concluded from a simple test of TRAKSAT that
it agrees with several other tracking programs.
The next step is one of comparing predicted output and observed
data. The most popular use for TRAKSAT has been in the optical
sighting options. The optical sighting of a satellite will be the
"acid test" used for this accuracy test.
First a note about NASA 2-line elements, low earth satellites
(about 15 rev per day satellites) have larger disturbances from
the atmosphere than higher satellites. The drag on a satellite
can cause purtubations greater than the J2 terms therefore the
drag term is of great importance. The very latest elements for
the low earth satellite can greatly improve the prediction
process, while the higher satellites do not require as current of
elements. (The term low will be in the range of 250 - 375
kilometers altitude.)
Reports about TRAKSAT (and its predictions) have been made on the
MIR satellite along with several other low earth satellites. The
bottom line being LESS THAN 30 SECONDS ERROR (prediction vs.
51
actual) for 10 day old satellite element sets. If the satellite
elements are 20 days old the error is about 60 seconds. If the
elements a only a day or two old, errors of less than 10 seconds
are possible (several reports have been made about 2-10 seconds
of error).
The position data is on the money, it is the time at that
position that usually drives the accuracy of the observation.
The higher earth satellites generally have less than 30 seconds
of error for 20 day old elements.
A NOTE MUST BE MADE ABOUT THE ERROR ANALYSIS, THE ASSUMPTION IS
MADE THAT NO ORBITAL MANEUVERING WAS DONE TO THE SATELLITE DURING
THE "TEST" PERIOD.
In general it can be said that the most current elements are the
best ones for planning the evenings viewing. (Elements over 30
days old can have a very large error to them). Element sets 7 -14
days old will be acceptable for most users.
NORAD/NASA updates the satellite elements for this very reason,
to keep the prediction process accurate.
The Hubble Telescope is a good example of a
is fairly easy to see because it is bright.
have reported actual vs. predicted times of
within 10 SECONDS with 13 day old elements!
second per day error!
"high" satellite that
Myself and others
shadow entry to
That is less than one
Auto Tracker
New with version 3.10 and up is a option to work with the
Auto Tracker.
What this device will do is control antenna rotators and also
Doppler shift tuning of the radio. This option is ONLY available
with the registered version and IS A EXTRA COST ITEM. The Auto
Tracker is a very well made unit that connects to the computer
serial port. This makes installation a snap with no cards or
slots required and no interupts to fool with. TRAKSAT will work
with the Auto Tracker but WinTrak can take advantage of all of
the features of the Auto Tracker. Some of the features of the
Auto Tracker are;
Control of Yaesu G5400B/G5600B rotators
"Mic-Click" Doppler tuning
Serial port operation, works with laptops
Easy installation and operation
Auto Tracker is available from;
Endeavour Electronics
157 Catamound Road
Tewksbury, MA 01876
(508) 851-5661
e-mail: endeavur@usa1.com
Price: $219.95
52
Chapter 14 (Problems)
TRAKSAT has been fully tested on MANY different types of
computers, however due to the very nature of personal computers
and different user configurations it is not possible to test the
program with all possible configurations. It may be possible that
some versions of DOS or some computers will not be 100%
compatible and cause the program to stop. THE FIRST STEP TO SOLVE
THE PROBLEM IS TO READ THE DOCUMENTATION INCLUDED WITH TRAKSAT.
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
A few users have reported TRAKSAT not running on one of their
computers after installing Windows 3.x. A possible solution would
be that some installations place the DOS command "STACKS 0,0" in
the CONFIG.SYS file. This command should be changed to "STACKS
9,256", this MAY solve the problem. It is not all-together clear
why some computers require this command but at least it is an
easy fix!
******************
* IMPORTANT NOTE *
******************
TRAKSAT version 4.00 will NOT run on XT (8088) computers. The XT
type computer is not really suited to satellite tracking and if
you are serious about satellite tracking you will use better
hardware. CGA displays are supported however.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss TRAKSAT.
e-mail: wintrak@traveller.com
I can also be reached at work or home, please no calls after 9 PM
Central Time. Please leave a phone number and the best time to
call on any messages that require by personal attention. The
last, and slowest method to reach me is with the U.S. mail
service, IF YOU REQUIRE A ANSWER PLEASE INCLUDE A SELF-ADDRESSED
AND STAMPED ENVELOPE.
Paul E. Traufler
111 Emerald Drive
Harvest, AL. 35749
Phone (work) 205-726-5511
Phone (home) 205-837-0084
Questions and Comments
I have retained any and all commercial rights to TRAKSAT and as
such can only control its use by controlling the source code.
Therefore the source code can only be licensed for use by the
author, Paul E. Traufler.
53
The time, money, and energy spent on the development of TRAKSAT
has been both informative and interesting, however as with all
shareware developers my resources are limited. Support for
TRAKSAT, by registering, will be required to continue the
improvements and new features. REMEMBER THAT IF YOU USE TRAKSAT
ON A REGULAR BASIS YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER THE PROGRAM.
TRAKSAT is still growing and improvements WILL BE MADE IF users
provide feedback, report errors and REGISTER. The only way this
can happen is if you, the user, takes the time to leave me
messages or mail on problems or suggestions. I will try to answer
your messages in a timely manner.
One of the major goals of this project was to make the finest,
easiest to use, satellite tracking program available. A PROGRAM
THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN USE AND SUCCESSFULLY TRACK SATELLITES!
I would suggest the user to OBTAIN A COPROCESSOR if they do not
have one already. A coprocessor speeds up math intensive
programs, such as TRAKSAT, to a level that was only dreamed about
a few years ago. Besides the cost of coprocessors has fallen to a
level that most people can afford one with little struggle. As of
December 1995, 287's cost $10-$20 while 387's cost $20-$30.
Special Thanks
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people
who helped me either directly or indirectly on this program.
First of all my wife, Anita, who understands why I have a hobbie
like computers and enjoy working with them. She has not
complained about the many hours, in excess of 3500 hours, I have
spent working on TRAKSAT. My children have learned to "share" my
free time also.
Dave Ransom Jr., of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. has kept me going
when my interest in the program was slipping away. I did use the
city data from his excellent program STSPLUS. I also used several
of the references Dave listed in his program. I would highly
recommend his program. My thanks to Dave and his wife Vicki.
John
have
data
vast
Williams and Dr. Jeff Wallach, from the Dallas DataLink BBS,
been very helpful in this project also. They have offered
and a helping hand with TRAKSAT. The DataLink BBS has a
amount of satellite information along with other interests.
I would recommend it to others interested in satellite tracking.
The DataLink BBS is THE place to learn about obtaining satellite
images. My thanks to John and Jeff and their families.
I would also like to thank Dr. T.S. Kelso, SYSOP of the Celestial
BBS where current satellite data can be downloaded. Several
satellite tracking programs are also available on his BBS along
with a vast amount of satellite information. Its people like T.S.
that make satellite tracking possible by providing the means to
obtain current satellite data sets. Good work!
Alan Bose has done a wonderful job sparking interest in the
Chicago area with his radio "talk shows". He has made satellite
watching a simple task even for the beginner. Tune in to WGN AM
54
720 radio sometime and hear for yourself.
To the many other people who have helped with a steady stream of
ideas and improvements, THANKS, and keep them coming!
55
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The following sources were used to prepare and test TRAKSAT.
Meeus, Jean, ASTRONOMICAL FORMULAE FOR CALCULATORS, 3rd Edition,
Willmann-Bell, Inc., Richmond, VA. 1985.
Duffett-Smith, Peter, PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY WITH YOUR PERSONAL
COMPUTER, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY. 1986.
Danby, John, FUNDAMENTALS OF CELESTIAL MECHANICS, 2nd Edition,
Willmann-Bell, Inc., Richmond, VA. 1988.
Bate-Mueller-White, FUNDAMENTALS OF ASTRODYNAMICS, Dover
Publications, Inc. New York, NY. 1971.
Forsythe-Malcolm-Moler, COMPUTER METHODS FOR MATHEMATICAL
COMPUTATIONS, Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 1977.
USAF-Ford Aerospace Corporation, ORBITAL MECHANICS, O&M Training
Section, Sunnyvale, CA. 1982.
Moulton, F. R., CELESTIAL MECHANICS, Macmillan Company, New York,
NY. 1960.
Brand, L., VECTOR ANALYSIS, John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY.
1957.
Geyling-Westerman, INTRODUCTION TO ORBITAL MECHANICS, Addison
Wesley, Whippany, NJ. 1971.
Brouwer, D., "Solution of the Problem of Artificial Satellite
Theory without Drag", Astronomical Journal 64, 378-397, November
1959.
Hilton, C.G. and Kuhlman, J.R., "Mathematical Models for the
Space Defense Center", Philco-Ford Publication No. U-3871, 17-28,
November 1966.
Hoots, F.R., "A Short, Efficient Analytical Satellite Theory".
AIAA Paper No. 80-1659, August 1980.
Hoots, F.R., "Theory of the Motion of an Artificial Earth
Satellite", accepted for publication in Celestial Mechanics.
Hujsak, R.S., "A Restricted Four Body Solution for Resonating
Satellites with an Oblate Earth", AIAA Paper No. 79-136, June
1979.
Hujsak, R.S. and Hoots, F.R., "Deep Space Perturbations Ephemeris
Generation", Aerospace Defense Command Space Computational Center
Program Documentation, DCD 8, Section 3, 82-104, September 1977.
Kozai, Y., "The Motion of a Close Earth Satellite", Astronomical
Journal 64, 367-377, November 1959.
56
Lane, M.H. and Cranford, K.H., "An Improved Analytical Drag
Theory for the Artificial Satellite Problem", AIAA Paper No. 69925, August 1969.
Lane, M.H., Fitzpatrick, P.M., and Murphy, J.J., "On the
Representation of Air Density in Satellite Deceleration Equations
by Power Functions with Integral Exponents", Project Space Track
Technical Report No. APGC-TDR-62-15, March 1962, Air Force
Systems Command, Eglin AFB, FL.
Lane, M.H. and Hoots, F.R., "General Perturbations Theories
Derived from the 1965 Lane Drag Theory", Project Space Track
Report No. 2, December 1979, Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson
AFB, CO.
Bellman, R. and Kalaba, R.E., "Modern Analytic Computational
Methods in Science and Mathematics", American Elsevier Publishing
Company, Inc. 1967.
Escobal, P.R., "Methods of Orbit Determination", John Wiley and
Sons, New York, NY. 1965.
Craig, C. John, "Microsoft QuickC Programmer's Toolbox",
Microsoft Press, Redmond Washington 1990.
El'yasberg, P. E., "Theory of Flight of Artificial Earth
Satellites", Israel Program for Scientific Translations Ltd.,
1967. (Translated from Russian)
King-Hele, Desmond, "Observing Earth Satellites", Van Nostrand
Reinhold Co. Inc., 1983.
Jamsa, Kris A., "Microsoft C Run-Time Library", Mircosoft Press A
division of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond Washington 1989.
"THE ASTRONOMICAL ALMANAC 1989", U. S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC, 1988.
"THE ASTRONOMICAL ALMANAC 1990", U. S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC, 1989.
Duffett-Smith, Peter, "PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY WITH YOUR CALCULATOR",
2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 1981.
Lawrence, J. L., "BASIC ASTRONOMY WITH A PC". Willmann-Bell Inc.,
Richmond, VA, 1989.
Meeus, Jean, "ASTRONOMICAL FORMULAE FOR CALCULATORS", 4th
Edition. Willmann-Bell, Inc., Richmond, VA, 1988.
Adams, Lee, "High Performance Graphics In C", TAB Books Inc.,
Blue Ridge Summit, PA, 1988.
Davidoff, David, "The Satellite Experimenter's Handbook", ARRL,
Newington, CT, 1990.
57
TRAKSAT Order Forms
TRAKSAT
Satellite Tracking Program
Why should I register ?
Well first off it is the right thing to do. If you use TRAKSAT
for more than 30 days it is time to register. What do I get by
registering TRAKSAT ?
1. Support for Shareware so you can keep getting low-cost
software in the future.
2. You will be E-mailed a notice when new versions become
available.
3. Support will be provided to registered users only.
4. The option of getting your name placed on the About screen so
everone will know you registered the program.
5. The warm feeling that you are supporting me in this persuit.
6. The latest version of the program and new satellite elements
also.
7. The registered version does NOT display the reminder screen at
startup.
8. Only registered versions support the Auto Tracker, this is a
optional item and can control the antenna rotators and radio
tuning for Doppler shifts. (Please consult the documentation for
more details.)
Your registration helps support me and my family also. I have
spent a great deal of time and effort in this program and would
hope that you will be honest and register. I have kept the cost
of this program within the reach of almost anyone, just try to
find another satellite tracking program with all the features of
TRAKSAT for less money.
Quantity discounts are available, contact the author for more
information.
Quantity discounts to schools are available also, contact the
author for more information.
TRAKSAT and its companion files are being distributed as
Shareware. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SHARE THIS SOFTWARE WITH OTHERS
PROVIDED THAT IT IS DISTRIBUTED COMPLETE WITH DOCUMENTATION AND
IN UNMODIFIED FORM AND THAT NO FEE OR OTHER CONSIDERATION IS
CHARGED OR ACCEPTED. (DISTRIBUTORS OF PUBLIC DOMAIN OR USER
SUPPORTED SOFTWARE MAY DISTRIBUTE TRAKSAT FOR A COPY FEE, NOT TO
EXCEED $5.00 (US)).
58
TRAKSAT
Satellite Tracking Program
TRAKSAT/WinTrak Order Form
-------------------------------------------------------------Make checks payable to:
Paul E. Traufler
111 Emerald Drive
Harvest, AL 35749
--------------------------------------------------------------Qty
____ TRAKSAT REGISTERED Version @ $25.00 Each
$_________
____ WinTrak Windows Satellite Tracking Program
(* NOT A SHAREWARE PROGRAM *) @ $49.95 Each
$_________
____ WinTrak Pro Win95 Satellite Tracking Program
(* NOT A SHAREWARE PROGRAM *) @ $69.95 Each
$_________
====> Shipping and Handling (USA $4.00 Per Unit)
$_________
(Outside USA $6.00 Per Unit)
(UPS 2nd Day Shipping Charge (USA only) $10.00)
---------------------------------------------------------------(THESE ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL FOR TRAKSAT)
____ Auto Tracker Control Option @ $30.00 Each
$_________
____ Place your name in the program @ $5.00
$_________
Total
$_________
ALL PROGRAMS ARE SHIPPED ON 1.44MB DISKS
Payment: (check or circle one): [ ] Check [ ] Money Order
[ ] Cash [ ] VISA [ ] MC [ ] Discover [ ] Other
Checks and Money Orders must be drawn on U.S. banks in U.S. funds
** PLEASE PRINT **
Name
_______________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Phone
__________________ E-Mail ____________________________
Card Number_________________________________
Exp. ___________
Comments ______________________________________________________
4.00
59
TRAKSAT
Satellite Tracking Program
COMMERCIAL LICENSE DETAILS FOR TRAKSAT
Information on Site Licenses and Custom Versions.
In order to use TRAKSAT, or its output, in a commercial
application the user must obtain a site license. This section
explains the details and limitations of the site license
agreements.
The commercial version of TRAKSAT includes all of the features in
the Shareware version plus a printed manual, additional end user
support, and update notification my mail.
Corporate and Governmental Site License
This is a license for use of the software within your company or
government agency, and is not transferable. This allows internal
use and copying of the software for as many sites / computers as
contracted for. An unlimited Site License allows unlimited
copying of the software for internal use by your company or
government agency. With the unlimited options the user will make
all the required copies from one master disk. Distributing,
repackaging, or reselling of the software to third parties is not
allowed. All licenses are prepaid.
Custom Versions of the Software
If you require any modifications or changes to the software,
please include detailed information describing all changes you
are interested in. Customization fees will be based on the
extent of the modifications required to the software and any time
constraints.
Price List
Commercial License (Case 1) Single Copy
$ 50.00
Commercial License (Case 2) 2 - 10 Copies (2 Copies Supplied)
$250.00
Commercial License 11+ Copies, Unlimited (User to make copies)
Call for Updates
Pricing
Commercial License (Case 4) SOURCE CODE, written agreement
required
Call for Pricing
60
TRAKSAT/WinTrak Order Form (Commercial Use)
---------------------------------------------------------------MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Paul E. Traufler
111 Emerald Drive
Harvest, AL. 35749
---------------------------------------------------------------Qty
1 TRAKSAT COMMERCIAL Version (Case 1) $ 50.00
$_________
2-10 TRAKSAT COMMERCIAL Version (Case 2) $ 250.00
$_________
11+ TRAKSAT COMMERCIAL Version (Case 3)
(Please call for current price)
$_________
____ WinTrak Windows Satellite Tracking Program
(* NOT A SHAREWARE PROGRAM *) @ $49.95 Each
$_________
____ WinTrak Pro Win95 Satellite Tracking Program
(* NOT A SHAREWARE PROGRAM *) @ $69.95 Each
$_________
=====>Shipping & Handling (Inside USA $6.00)
$_________
(Outside USA $8.00)
(UPS 2nd Day Shipping Charge (USA only) $12.00) --------------------------------------------------------------(THESE ITEMS ARE OPTIONAL FOR TRAKSAT)
____ Support for the Auto Tracker @ $30.00 Each
Total
$_________
$_________
ALL PROGRAMS ARE SHIPPED ON 1.44MB DISKS
Payment: (check or circle one): [ ] Check [ ] Money Order
[ ] Approved P.O. [ ] VISA [ ] MC [ ] Discover [ ] Other
Checks and Money Orders must be drawn on U.S. banks in U.S. funds
** PLEASE PRINT **
Name
_______________________________________________________
Company _______________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Phone
___________________ E-Mail ___________________________
Card Number_________________________________
Exp. ___________
What would you like for a displayed registered message?
Registered ID ________________________________________________
(40 Characters MAX)
4.00