How to get longitude from Two Line Element (TLE)

In summary, to convert TLE data to longitude, you will need to extract the mean motion and mean anomaly from the TLE, calculate the satellite's true anomaly, and use the eccentricity and argument of perigee to determine the longitude. A Two Line Element (TLE) is a data format used to describe the orbit of an Earth-orbiting satellite and is used by tracking software to predict the satellite's position in real time. The accuracy of the longitude calculated from TLE data may have an error margin of a few kilometers and can vary depending on the specific satellite and the quality of the data. TLE data can only be used to track Earth-orbiting satellites and is typically updated every few days, meaning that it
  • #1
hamzaaaa
31
0
Dear All

I want to know the formula to extract the longitude of the satellite from the TLE below.

I hope someone can help.
Thanks

1 24652U 96063A 97251.85429118 .00000144 00000-0 00000-0 0 568
2 24652 0.0850 104.0202 0008355 303.2059 279.6585 1.00288964 3492
 
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  • #2
There is no simple formula. Those numbers are given in the context of a particular model of satellite motion. You could, of course, compute what you need manually, once you understand the model. But it seems far simpler just to obtain software that would do it.
 

1. How do I convert TLE data to longitude?

To convert TLE data to longitude, you will need to use a computer program or online tool that can process the TLE data. The first step is to extract the mean motion and the mean anomaly from the TLE, which are used to calculate the satellite's position in its orbit. Then, using the satellite's orbital period and the current time, you can calculate the satellite's true anomaly. Finally, with the satellite's eccentricity and argument of perigee, you can calculate the longitude of the satellite at the current time.

2. What is a Two Line Element (TLE)?

A Two Line Element (TLE) is a data format used to describe the orbit of an Earth-orbiting satellite. It consists of two lines of information that include the satellite's identifying number, orbital data, and the time and date at which the data was generated. TLEs are used by satellite tracking software to predict the position of a satellite in real time.

3. How accurate is the longitude calculated from TLE data?

The accuracy of the longitude calculated from TLE data depends on several factors, including the age of the TLE data, the satellite's orbit, and the precision of the calculations used. Generally, the longitude calculated from TLE data may have an error margin of a few kilometers. However, this accuracy can vary greatly depending on the specific satellite and the quality of the TLE data.

4. Can I use TLE data to track the movement of any satellite?

No, TLE data can only be used to track Earth-orbiting satellites. The data is not accurate for satellites in other orbits, such as geostationary or interplanetary orbits. Additionally, TLE data is only available for satellites that are actively tracked by organizations such as NASA or the US Air Force. Private or classified satellites may not have publicly available TLE data.

5. How often is TLE data updated?

The TLE data for a satellite is typically updated every few days, depending on the satellite's orbit. This means that the longitude calculated from TLE data may not be accurate for longer periods of time. It is important to regularly update TLE data when using it for tracking purposes to ensure accuracy.

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