🚀Orbit Watch App Tracks Satellites in AR on iOS
Track satellites and space junk with your phone's camera
TL;DR
The new Orbit Watch app lets you track satellites, planets, and debris using augmented reality on iOS. It requires iOS 17 or later and uses your device's camera for real-time tracking without storing data.
Orbit Watch is now available on the App Store, allowing users to track satellites, planets, constellations, and space debris in real-time through their iPhone’s camera. The app leverages augmented reality (AR) technology to overlay satellite positions directly onto your live view of the sky. This means you can point your phone at the night sky and see exactly where different objects are located without ever storing or transmitting data from your device. Developers who work with space-related APIs, AR applications, or those interested in astronomy will find this app invaluable for testing and learning about real-time satellite tracking technologies. The Orbit Watch app ensures user privacy by not collecting personal information or location history beyond what’s needed to calculate overhead passes of satellites and celestial bodies. The app requires iOS 17 or later and uses publicly available satellite tracking data from trusted sources, ensuring accuracy in its real-time AR display. It also includes an optional AI chatbot powered by Google's Gemini API for answering space-related questions.

Key Points
Requires iOS 17 or later to use AR features for real-time tracking
Uses publicly available satellite tracking data from trusted sources
Includes an optional AI chatbot powered by Google’s Gemini API
Collects limited diagnostics and usage data on-device only, no storage
Doesn't sell user data; adheres strictly to privacy policies
Why It Matters
If you're developing AR apps or working with satellite tracking APIs, Orbit Watch offers a real-world sandbox for testing. It uses iOS 17's AR capabilities and public satellite data sources, providing accurate real-time tracking without compromising user privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this matter?
If you're developing AR apps or working with satellite tracking APIs, Orbit Watch offers a real-world sandbox for testing. It uses iOS 17's AR capabilities and public satellite data sources, providing accurate real-time tracking without compromising user privacy.
What happened?
The new Orbit Watch app lets you track satellites, planets, and debris using augmented reality on iOS. It requires iOS 17 or later and uses your device's camera for real-time tracking without storing data.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Enjoyed this article?
Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.
Join 2,068 builders reading daily.