All sorts of software related to space are available
for downloading or purchase over the web.
These include programs for such areas as astronomy,
satellite tracking, simulators, rocketry, etc. Note
that "off line" and "standalone"
here refers to applications that run outside of browsers.
The programs may still access the internet for various
tasks.
More and more such programs, however, obtain updates
and data off the Internet so they are also, in
a sense, on line as well.
General
Space Software
HobbySpace related
sections:
Multiple
Media
This page provides lists of various space related
software such as Mars simulators, CD-Roms, etc
Stellarium
- "renders realistic skies in real time with
openGL. It is available for Linux/Unix, Windows and
MacOSX. With Stellarium, you really see what you can
see with your eyes, binoculars or a small telescope.
Stellarium is also used in planetariums."
PlanetFinder
- LightAndMatter.com - "This applet shows
the locations of the planets, stars, moon, and sun
in the sky from any location and for any date and
time."
Stars
in the NeighborHood™ - program from Tharsis Highlands
Software. As you travel the galaxin your star ship,
the program
keeps track of your position in this part
of the galaxy, and shows you, in 3D, where home
is located, so you're never likely to become lost.
But this 3D space software from Tharsis Highlands
does much more than that. Imagine being able to
add color-coded tags to each star system as you
visit them. Then, later, you can easily call up
all the stars you've visited. What if you discover
something interesting about a new star? With this
space software, you can add your own notes to the
star's record, for future retrieval. And what if
you're traveling from Capella to Epsilon Tauri in
the Hyades cluster, and want to know how far you
have to travel? Distance calculation is as easy
as point and click.
See the website for descriptions of the many other
features of the program. The program was created by
Carl Martin, who also runs the Ancient
Suns website.
"...written by a professional and an avid amateur
astronomer, is a complete introduction to contemporary
astronomy and a guide to the best software, web sites,
and other computer resources for astronomers. Whether
you have only a passing interest in astronomy or you
spend every evening on a mountain top, you'll find
something exciting in The Astronomer's Computer Companion.
"
The
Orbital and Celestial Mechanics Website
David Eagle provides this site,
which "contains freeware and software for sale which can
be used to solve problems in orbital and celestial mechanics".
Earth
Views/Maps
Imaging and mapping software for the earth.
Google
Earth
Zoom in on most any spot on earth. This is a much
more powerful, standalone version of the online maps.google.com
for the web browser.
The Spaceport Field Guide (version
1.0) is a Google Earth-compatible file developed
by SpaceWorks Commercial that provides a database
of worldwide launch sites and associated facilities.
The tool offers information about global spaceports
including location, current and potential facilities,
current and potential launch vehicles, and a
rating of operational readiness (as defined
by a Spaceport Readiness Level or SpRL).The
tool is available for free download from the
SpaceWorks Commercial website. SpaceWorks Commercial,
a division of SpaceWorks Engineering, Inc. (SEI),
provides this software as an educational service
to the community.
Moon
view - lots of lunar imagery and 3-D exploration
capabilties incorporated into the program.
3D
Landsat Satellite Imaging
Software and Info for viewing landsat imagery. "Secrets
for Obtaining and Enhancing Free Satellite Pictures
with Your Computer"
".. not a collection of maps. Instead, it
is a virtual globe. You fly around a colorful
three dimensional model of the Earth, whose position
and sunlit side are correctly depicted for the
time and date. On Top Of The World combines the
fun of a flight simulator with learning about
our world. It's the closest that most of us can
come to flying in outer space. It's educational
and fun. On Top Of The World is not just for kids.
Adults will find it useful in getting a global
perspective."
Planet3D / Mars3D
Using the Mars Global Surveyor data, the Mars 3D
program creates high resolution global maps of the
Mars surface. False color coding reveals details
not easily seen in usual maps. The globe can be
rotated via mouse control.
The program is free and available for download
to Windows machines. It "...renders the whole
surface of Mars using data collected by NASA's MGS
satellite. The data consists of 1.28 Million height
points giving a maximum horizontal spatial resolution
of 13Km. The vertical accuracy is to within 5m."
Stig's
SkyCalendar
Stig Ottosen's offline version of his online Java astronomy
events program.
SWARM
- Solar Warning And Realtime Monitor
Be ready for the next solar storm. This program retrieves
satellite and other types of data off the web and presents
it in a sophisticated manner to help monitor the space
weather and to help predict solar storms effects on earth.
Tracking
The Eye - Hurricane Tracking Software
This shareware program from GenCode
Technologies allows you to track hurricanes in real
time using data and satellite imagery downloaded from
weather databases on the web. Lots of options, graphics
and animation features.
It runs in standalone mode, i.e. outside of a browser,
so was included here in the Offline Software section,
but needs at least a part-time link to the Internet
to work.
"Create photo-realistic-looking images of deep
space with Universe. Add star fields, suns, nebulas,
gas clouds, and global clusters over the background
color of your choice.."
Apps
for Handheld Devices - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad + Android
Lots of space related apps are now available for the
Apple iPhone, iPod, and iPad devices. Here is a sampling:
"The listing includes a variety of
apps for displaying and explaining the sky
above you (some using the GPS function in
your device); a series of astronomical clocks,
calculators, and calendars; sky catalogs and
observing planners; planet atlases and globes;
citizens science tools and image displays;
a directory of astronomy clubs in the U.S.;
and even a graphic simulator for making galaxies
collide. A number of the apps are free, and
others cost just a dollar or two. A brief
list of articles featuring astronomy app reviews
is also included."
SpaceLab
from Odyssey
Space - iPhone app that flew on last Space
Shuttle launch. It can help with navigation by
photographing the Earth and determine orbital
elements based on Earth limb size and coastlines.
Very interesting. They will be adding simulated
Earth in future versions and publishing the actual
data that the astronauts generate from the ISS.
iRover
2010 is a Lunar Rover Simulator that "is a
fun way to tour the Lunar surface and see some
of the elements that make up NASA's Lunar architecture".
It is "compatible with iPhone and iPod touch ".
OrbitSim HD is an ideal hands-on learning
application for high school or university
students studying physics, astronomy, or engineering.
The app is based on equations from Newtonian
physics and Kepler’s laws and uses this mathematical
foundation to perform orbital calculations
and generate realistic animations. Create
circular and elliptical orbits around any
planet in our solar system using the intuitive
touch interface. Plot orbit transfers, study
detailed outputs, and more in this powerful
new app.
Join the Rocket City Space Pioneers
on our misson to the moon to win the Lunar X-PRIZE!
Inspired by the real-life mission, players will
power through piles of space debris, make precision
landings, and race across the lunar surface
to win the prize.
50 years ago John Glenn became
the first American to orbit the Earth. Relive
his three-orbit mission with exclusive access
to over 4 hours of rare video, plus the
complete audio from the onboard recorder
and the flight director's loop recorded
in mission control. Also included are the
photos taken by Glenn during the mission,
and an interactive detailed explanation
of the spacecraft control panel. You'll
experience the mission of Friendship 7 as
never before.
The first lunar landing attempt on Apollo
11 was a journey into the unknown. Flying
a craft that had only been flown manned
on two previous missions, and never before
lower than within 50,000 feet of the lunar
surface, the first landing demonstrated
the sound design and precision planning
necessary to make a successful final approach
to a new world. 1st
Landing for iPad - iTunes App Store
The Wolfram Planets Reference App computes
planets' orbital properties, provides
information about a planet's atmosphere,
displays a map of the current solar system
configuration, shows images of planets,
and much more! With the Wolfram Stars
Reference App, you have access to real-time
data on over 100,000 stars and are able
to examine and compare properties for
each star, compute your favorite star's
sky position, find out when it will rise
next, and perform advanced calculations.
Powered by Wolfram|Alpha, the Wolfram
Planets and Stars Reference Apps are optimized
for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and are
available as universal apps for only $.99
each in the iTunes App Store: http://url.wolfram.com/88AOVwk/
Wolfram Astronomy is a mobile app for iOS
that can help students with their computational
astronomy coursework. It has guided menus
that help students reference information
about constellations, planets, and other
astronomical objects, as well as calculate
anything from the next lunar eclipse to
the solar interior. The Astronomy Course
Assistant is powered by Wolfram|Alpha, and
can compute problems on-the-fly over WiFi,
3G, or an EDGE connection. It is optimized
for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, and is
available as a universal app in the App
Store.
Star
Walk, which "enables you to point
your iPhone at the sky and see what stars,
constellations, and satellites you are looking
at in real-time". It includes satellite
tracking as well.
Solar
Walk a 3D Solar System Model, which let's
you
find out more about our neighboring
planets in the Universe, play around with them
determining the speed of circulation, time, choosing
a particular planet to become the center of the
Universe, seeing the moons of Saturn, Jupiter,
Mars and Urano. The 3D model in the Solar Walk
app is the scaled reproduction of the real Solar
System.
The latest update is designed to explore not only
the Solar System, but the whole Milky Way Galaxy.
Among other features are your current position,
the biggest cities on the globe, 10 most interesting
Earth satellites, and the points of interests
on Mars, Venus, and the Moon. The update starts
the educational movie collection with the first
video "Solar System Planets' Size Comparison".
Orbit Architect allows you to interactively
design and explore satellite orbital geometry
through the multi-touch interface of the iPad.
You can manipulate a satellite orbit using pinch
and rotate multi-touch gestures, see the effects
in real time, and animate the results. As you
change the orbit, dynamic diagrams will illuminate
the meaning of each orbital parameter. Finally,
the results can then be emailed to yourself or
to a friend.
Satellite
Augmented Reality - by Adam
Eisenman - lets you see the locations of geostationary
satellites currently overhead by pointing your iPhone
screen at the sky.
Space
Station - allows you to see the location
of the International Space Station and other
associated satellites (Soyuz, Progress, PSSC...)
in realtime over the Earth (up to two satellites
may be tracked simultaneously).
Celestial
Explorer: Mars with 3D view - "powerful
GIS mapping software features the latest NASA
high-definition digital maps combined with
the most up-to-date geology data. Extraordinary
real-time and customizable 3D visualizations
place you on the surface of the planet
Stereo image making
mkanaglyph
- Create a red-blue stereo anaglyph image from
left & right images in PPM format. - at Mars3D
Comsoft
Comsoft sells telescope control and satellite tracking software.
Bester
Tracking Systems
Bester offers Unix software for Satellite Orbit Analysis and Tracking, Global
Positioning System, and Astrodynamics Applications.
CyberSky
Stephen M. Schimpf offers this shareware planetarium program for Windows
systems.
CyberSky is an accurate, yet easy-to-use planetarium program that provides
an excellent way to learn about astronomy and explore the sky visible
in the distant past, the present, and the far-off future. CyberSky can
display and print attractive, highly-customizable maps of the sky as
seen from your home, your favorite vacation spot, or any other location
on the Earth. The program’s clean, user-friendly interface makes it
easy to identify the objects you see in the sky and find the objects
you want to see.
Distant Suns Mike Smithwicks astronomy package is for
".. casual skywatchers to seasoned amateur astronomers ... Distant
Suns is compatible with Windows 95,98, ME, NT and 2000, and Macintosh.
With Distant Suns you may view the sky at the time of your birth, watch
the sun set behind Saturn, land on Mars and follow newly discovered
comets."
Other features include : Different astronomical stories and tutorials
for each night of the year. Create your own "space movies". Print out
star charts. In depth information of each star and planet. Over 16 million
stars.-Event Alert system will warn you of any upcoming eclipses and meteor
showers.
FlyOver
FlyOver by Tom Sylvestor predicts satellite flyovers for virtually any place
on earth. It has scaleable map graphics and custom printouts. Downloading
current data and current tracking is free, but observer location selection
requires a registration fee.
InstantTrack
1.5 This powerful tracking program is offered by Amsat and proceeds
from its purchase goes toward supporting Amsat projects.
LunarPhase
(Shareware) - "Displays real time information and graphics about
the moon (or for a selected date). Contains many charts and diagrams,
predicts eclipses, produces a range of printouts."
LunarPhase
Pro (Commercial) - "More comprehensive that LunarPhase V2.62;
includes a Lunar Explorer screen which allows the identification of
lunar features from dropdown lists or by clicking on a map of the moon;
maps of near and far side features as well as polar regions included;
Orthographic and Mercator maps can be viewed and printed; calculates,
displays and and animate libration effects; includes database of lunar
features."
JupSat- "Displays the positions of Jupiter's satellites in real time
(or for a selected date). Also calculates Great Red Spot Transit times
and displays satellite track diagrams. Full details can be found at:
This application is freeware." - Gary Nugent
PREDICT
- A Satellite Tracking/Orbital Prediction Program
This program is "an open-source, multi-user satellite tracking and
orbital prediction program written under the Linux operating system by
John A. Magliacane, KD2BD. PREDICT is free software. Users may redistribute
it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 2 of the
License or any later version."
Available for Linux/Unix and for DOS under Windows.
SaVi
Satellite constellation visualisation program from Univ.of Minnesota
Hughes Aerospace, for example, used it to plan the maneuvers of a communications
satellite, which was placed in a useless orbit by a fualty launcher, to
do lunar swingbys to put it into a viable orbit.
This program once cost several thousand dollars. Surprisingly, though,
it has been made available now as freeware. The company says it makes
money by selling sophisticated add-ons for particular applications.
Sienna
Software Inc. - Starry Night
Full featured astronomy program with over 19 million celestial objects.
Includes satellite tracking and addition of new satellites. Can control
telescopes.
SkyMap
Software
A planetarium and star-charting program for Microsoft Windows 95/98 and
Windows NT4. "Written by astronomers, for astronomers." InfoDemo
STSPLUS
Shuttle/Satellite Tracking
A program by the late David H. Ransom.
It offers the STSPLUS program for DOS to track the shuttles and also satellites
using NASA/NORAD 2-Line Orbital Elements. Shows position and ground track.
WinOrbit
This freeware program offers "..satellite orbit prediction, tracking,
and radio communication, with emphasis on low-cost and educational approaches
for the do-it-yourselfer or hobbyist."
More
Astronomy/Satellite Programs & Stores
AIPS++
- Astronomical Information Processing System - C++ library of programs
to analyze astronomy data.
MacDopplerPRO
- satellite tracking on the Applet Mac
MAXCLOCK
- A high-precision digital astronomical software clock
Orbiter
- A free space flight simulator - "ORBITER is a realistic space
simulation using proper physics for the modelling of planetary motion,
gravitational fields, ..."
Orbitron is "a
satellite tracking system for radio amateur and observing purposes."
Created by Sebastian Stoff.
John Walker's
Earth Viewer John Walker, the inventor of AutoCad,
now writes wonderful freeware such as this program that provides satellite
orbital prediction as well as other astronomical displays.
