From orbital data to 3D orbits in the browser: how I built an interactive satellite map

A developer with experience in the space industry shares the process of creating an interactive visualization of near-Earth space. The author highlights the sharp increase in the number of satellites in orbit—from 1,950 units eight years ago to 16,000 today, or 47,000 when including space debris. Despite the relevance of the topic, existing visualization tools are often aimed at specialists and appear scientifically dull. The project's goal was to create an accessible and engaging web tool that would allow a wide audience to interact with orbital data. The article details the technical challenges of visualizing space objects in a browser and the approaches to designing a user interface that turns raw data into an intuitive map. The author invites readers to explore the development process and the results, emphasizing the importance of popularizing space technology through high-quality design and interactivity.