SSC 4D Orbit Viewer
NEW Prototype Browser based version (November 2023)
The locations and orbits over 100 spacecraft and planets stored in the Satellite Situation Center (SSC) are viewable in the SPDF 4-D Orbit Viewer as an interactive 3-D animation with time as the 4th dimension. A prototype browser-based tool is now available to replace the original Java-based tool. Trajectories are displayed in a virtual 3-D environment which also includes the four inner planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and the Sun and Moon (Luna). See the blue question mark icon for a general overview of the application and some tips to guide the user in its primary use. More detailed help is available either by mousing over interface elements to reveal tool tips specific to that control or by clicking on the question mark icon, which appears in various parts of the interface and will bring up detailed instructions related to that part of the program. This tool uses the SSC REST API and three.js JavaScript library. Please try out the new 4-D Orbit Viewer and let us know of any questions, suggestions, and comments. For an instructional preview, please see the short demonstrational video.
Below is the description and installation instructions for the original Java-based 4D Orbit Viewer: Version 4.2.8
Installation and Start-Up of the JAVA Application
To run the 4D Orbit Viewer, you must ensure that Java is downloaded and installed on your system.
Common Problems
The following provides information about troubleshooting some of the more commonly encountered problems with starting this application.
| Symptom | Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to launch the application due to Certificate/Digital-Signature issues. | Digital signatures are used to ensure the authenticity and integrity of this application. Occasionally, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
|
The following Certificate/Digital-Signature Issues addresses those issues. |
| Unable to launch the application on a wireless network. | Java Webstart is not capable of handling an HTTP redirect command. Some wireless networks employ the HTTP redirect mechanism to perform authentication before allowing wider access to the network. This type of authentication is common on "open" (no WEP, WPA, WPA2, or VPN) wireless networks. HTTP redirection is not likely to be used for authentication purposes on "secure" (WPA, WPA2, or VPN) wireless or wired networks but might be used on such networks for other purposes. | The ultimate solution is an enhancement to WebStart that resolves
bug 6732753. To minimize your chance of encountering this
problem, avoid using a desktop shortcut or menu item to start this
application from a wireless network that uses HTTP redirection.
Instead, use a browser and this
Orbit Viewer page to launching the application. If you
encounter this problem, you may be able to recover by deleting
all Java temporary Internet files and then using the browser and
this page.
On Microsoft platforms, the Java temporary files are
deleted by selecting Start/Settings/Control Panel/Java
followed by General/Temporary Internet Files/Settings
and Delete Files. |
| Installation of the prerequisite software fails indicating that you don't have sufficient privileges to install the software. | Installation of the prerequisite software requires administrative privileges on Microsoft® Windows 2000/XP and Apple Mac OS X. | Log into the computer with an identity which has administrative privileges or enter the administrative password when prompted. If this is not possible, have the computer's system administrator perform the installation. Unix users can usually acquire most of the prerequisite software in a form that can be installed for an individual user without administrative privileges. |
Uninstall
The following describes how to uninstall this application.
The 4D Orbit Viewer application can be uninstalled in one of two ways depending upon the platform and version of Java you are using. The two methods are described below.
- On Microsoft Windows use the Windows Add/Remove Programs control panel.
- On all other platforms start the Java WebStart application. Select the 4D Orbit Viewer application and remove it.
If you did not have Java before visiting this page and now wish to uninstall it, it may be removed by using the Windows Add/Remove Programs control panel.
Web Developers
The SSC 4D Orbit Viewer can easily be used by other web site developers to add the display of orbit information to their own site. For details, see the SSC 4D Orbit Viewer Web Services.
Alternative Distributions
The SSC 4D Orbit Viewer can also be installed using the alternative formats below:
Zip File containing the operational (4.2.8) 4D Orbit Viewer Source Code
Feedback
Comments and questions about this application are welcome. Please use this e-mail address to send your comments, question, or problem reports.
- NASA Official: Robert Candey (301)286-6707, Robert.M.Candey@nasa.gov
- Curator: Tami Kovalick
- Last Modified: