Tui Group - Space Apps Challenge

Tui Group| Orbital Sky

Awards & Nominations

Tui Group has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!

Global Nominee

Orbital Sky

A huge number of satellites in Earth's orbit support our day-to-day life on the ground. Your challenge is to develop a method to improve public knowledge of these satellites, with an eye towards driving user engagement, enthusiasm, and exploration.

Satellite Simulation - an open source code site

Summary

Using real data, the open source code site will provide real time 3D globe visualization of satellites and debris, besides several information, such as the satellite responsible country, size, mass, their purpose etc. The user will be able to customize how the information is displayed. Additionally, from choices that consider real conditions, the user will be able to simulate the orbit of a satellite, so that it will not collide with other satellites or debris. Additionally, the app will allow users to input information about other real satellites that may not be mapped, such as nanosatellites. As an open source, it will also stimulate other developers to get involved in the subject.

How We Addressed This Challenge

It aims to engage, enthusiasm and enlighten the general public regarding satellites by means of an interactive site using real data of the position and trajectory of the satellites and debris actually in orbit. It will also provide knowledge about satellites` types and main features, besides, provide a platform for the registration of small satellites that are not mapped. With a complete and user-friendly site, it will bring users closer to the current problems of space waste and the use of Earth's orbits. The knowledge provided is robust and friendly, and allows it to be used as a teaching resource at STEM disciplines, for example. It will also allow the gathering of like-minded people around the world, stimulating exchange of information and dissemination of interest for space related subjects. Also, as an open source code site, it will stimulate others to include features as a public data.

How We Developed This Project

We have more than 5.000 mapped satellites as of March 2020 (“How many satellites are orbiting the Earth in 2020? | Pixalytics Ltd,” n.d.) and more than 900,000 natural and artificial debris estimated (“ESA - Space debris by the numbers,” n.d.) in our atmosphere. Besides the huge amount of public information about satellites available, public awareness and interest is still limited. In order to engage general public in the wonders of the satellite world, we will provide an interactive site that collects, organizes and displays information and real data about satellites and debris in an easy and friendly format for all ages and backgrounds. It will also allow the user to simulate his/her own satellite on orbit. The objective is to increase knowledge and awareness about the objects that float over our heads in a fun manner.

The project was divided among the group members according to their skills. MatLab software was used to calculate the orbits and validated the idea. The input data for the calculations were extracted from official agency websites databases such as NASA, ESA, JAXA, INPE and NOAA. In parallel, a website was created for hosting the information gathered, as well as for simulating the orbits selected by users. In addition to the program and website, the design of the presentations and the project was developed, and extensive data research was carried out.

The site will integrate the various existing websites and software to bring information about real time position, image and orbit of the various satellites on Earth, whether they are active or inactive, besides the satellite name, launch year, image captured, dimensions, responsible county(ies), and orbit type. As an interactive site, the user has the possibility to choose which satellites to display, either as a point or visualizing their orbit trajectory, being able to add the nearby debris or view the debris separately. The user can also choose the type of orbit and filter the satellites accordingly and decide how to organize and display the several information in reports or charts.

The user can:

1 – View the satellites in orbit:

2 – View the debris in orbit:

3 – Create and simulate their own satellite orbit, the user shall select:

a) One of the 2 satellite types (imaging or communication);

b) One of the 3 types of orbit: heliosynchronous, polar or geostationary

c) The altitude;

d) The right date for the launch according to the position in the space and the weather conditions.

The choices will be checked if the satellite collides with other space objects.

4 – Send information about other real satellites that may not be mapped, such as nanosatellites. The site will allow users to input information, and these new objects, after validation, will be incorporated in the information and data displayed.

As an open source code site, others can include features, as long as they reflect real data and/or knowledge

For more information

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I5CB3nmzUS1YfBdHyyc_9pmvSEDmDLND?usp=sharing

How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project

The project used data and/or information from the following sites from NASA and other space agencies:

Position satellites data

http://www.inpe.br/crc/satelites/operacoes.php

https://sscweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/WebServices/REST/

https://sscweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/WebServices/REST/jQueryExample3.html

https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi

https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?sat_ephem

https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/past_project/sat.html

http://neo.ssa.esa.int/advanced-search;jsessionid=3f48c2a15079a21d61f97090a833

ttps://www.ngs.noaa.gov/UFCORS/

Debris information

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/news/orbital_debris.html

https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Space_Debris/Space_debris_by_the_numbers

Other information

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-line_element_set

Project Demo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgKBk1Kgu4&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=ProjetoTui

Project Code

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VUOr9aIyAi34yRaxvySabU_pTlH28qQg/view?usp=sharing

Data & Resources

Kuga, H. K.; Rao, K. R.; Carrara, V. Introdução à mecânica orbital. INPE. São José dos Campos, 2008.

Pilchowki, H. U.; Silva, W. C. C.; Ferreira, L. D. D. Introdução a Mecânica Celeste. INPE. Sao Jose dos Campos, 1981.

Cartosat-3 Mission/ PSLV-C47 - Indian Space Research Organisation. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2020, from https://diligentias.com/cartosat-3-mission-pslv-c47-indian-space-research-organisation/

ESA - Space debris by the numbers. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2020, from https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Space_Debris/Space_debris_by_the_numbers

How many satellites are orbiting the Earth in 2020? | Pixalytics Ltd. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2020, from https://www.pixalytics.com/satellites-orbiting-earth-2020/