TLE Orbit

A two line element set (TLE) is a data format encoding a list of orbital elements of an Earth orbiting object for a given point in time, the epoch.

Using suitable prediction formula, the state (position and velocity) at any point in the past or future can be estimated to some accuracy.

You can create a TLE orbit from the database import and instanciation (see here) or by creating directly the orbit, adding the TLE data and attaching the satellite.

Manual Setting

First, create the TLE orbit

Then go to the TLE tab and enter the two lines of formatted data.

ie:

0 INMARSAT 2-F1

1 20918U 90093A 14260.01177448 -.00000013 00000-0 00000+0 0 586

2 20918 010.2265 036.7076 0004148 208.3310 155.1961 00.98876047 83829

Then click on Update Orbital Element button.

The only way to rename a TLE orbit is to change the first line of the TLE. 0 is optional.

If you only give lines 1 and 2, the name will be kept unchanged.

Now, if you click on the newly created orbit, you will see drawn in magenta on the map (or on the globe)

On the map, add one satellite:

Then in the Model panel, add the SGP4 propagator (dynamic)

Open the Component and attach it to the created orbit (above):

Make sure that the Validation function of the propagator is activated:

TLE Orbit

Manual Setting