27,000+ tracked objects. A debris field that could trigger an irreversible cascade. VectraSpace gives you the physics, the data, and the tools to understand it — from Kepler to Kessler, in four chapters.
VectraSpace exists because orbital safety is one of the most consequential engineering problems of our generation — and almost no one outside the industry understands it. We built a platform where anyone can engage with the real mathematics: not simplified metaphors, but the actual SGP4 propagation, Foster-Alfano probability of collision, and Kessler cascade physics that real SSA operators use every day.
Four comprehensive chapters covering the mathematics, algorithms, and engineering principles that power modern Space Situational Awareness — from Kepler to Kessler.
From Newton's universal gravitation to Kepler's three laws, vis-viva equation, orbital elements, TLE format, and the SGP4 propagator that powers every conjunction screening system on Earth.
How operators screen 350 million possible object pairs daily, compute Time of Closest Approach, model covariance ellipsoids, and apply the Foster-Alfano method to estimate whether a maneuver is warranted.
Earth's oblateness (J₂ = 1.08263×10⁻³), atmospheric drag, solar radiation pressure, and luni-solar gravity all bend real orbits away from ideal ellipses — and drive sun-synchronous design, station-keeping budgets, and TLE accuracy decay.
The NASA Standard Breakup Model, power-law fragment distributions, historical events from Fengyun-1C to Iridium-Cosmos, cascade threshold mathematics, Active Debris Removal technologies, and IADC mitigation guidelines.
The VectraSpace dashboard runs real SGP4 propagation on live TLE data, screens every orbit pair for conjunctions, and visualizes the results on a photorealistic CesiumJS globe — all in your browser.
NumPy-vectorized SGP4 propagates thousands of satellites simultaneously across a 12–72 hour window at 1-minute resolution. Regime-specific filters for LEO, MEO, and GEO.
Ellipsoid pre-filter eliminates 95%+ of pairs before refinement. Bounded golden-section search finds exact TCA. Foster-Alfano Pc with real CDM covariance when Space-Track credentials are set.
Simulate a collision or explosion using the NASA Standard Breakup Model. Lognormal velocity distributions, isotropic ejection directions, and real conjunction screening of the resulting debris cloud.
Standards-compliant Conjunction Data Messages (CCSDS 508.0-B-1) generated per event. Individual download or bulk ZIP. Includes Clohessy-Wiltshire minimum-ΔV maneuver advisory for each conjunction.
Threshold-based alert routing: email (Gmail, SendGrid, SES, Postmark), Pushover mobile push, and HTTP webhooks. Per-user Pc threshold and miss-distance configuration. Styled HTML email with full conjunction data.
Photorealistic Cesium World Terrain + Imagery, animated orbital tracks, conjunction markers, time-scrubbing, and adjustable simulation speed. Click any object for satellite info powered by the Anthropic API.
Dive into the physics chapters, run a live conjunction scan against 4,000+ active satellites, or simulate a debris fragmentation event — all backed by the same math used by real SSA operators.