Hi All Re the discussion on software used for predicting. In my case I use my own software- called SEECOSAT as I wrote it specifically for my CoSaTrak system. Apart from distribution to a few friends I have not made it available generally as there are still a few points to be sorted out - ie it freezes when I try and run predictions using ALLDAT.TLE ( ~8000 odd satellites). I know what the problem is - just never had the time to redo that part of the program. However it handles files like CLASSFD.TLE with no problems. The output is similar to Mike McCants software and the graphics display part has never been completed - a project for a cloudy period. I also need to improve the shadow entry/exit procedure as I have an error of about 2-3 seconds on that observed. The program is in BASIC and uses the SGP4 model. For my measuring of video images etc I use GUIDE 8 which I think is outstanding for satellite tracking. In my version it does show the satellites going into eclipse ( the satellite changes colour) and the eclipse time is within a second or so of that observed. The author Bill Gray is always receptive to any changes/improvements requested and is an excellant example of how support for a commericial product should be. Other software that is highly recommended is that by Mike McCants and Rob Matson. A large number of other good programs exist so its mainly a matter of what you are looking for the program to do - STS and ORBITRON are pretty graphical programs for example. My apologies for good software not mentioned - there are just too many! Cheers Greg ----------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from SeeSat-L, send a message with 'unsubscribe' in the SUBJECT to SeeSat-L-request@satobs.org List archived at http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Dec 03 2003 - 12:10:59 EST