Lua Lipa +1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1duqv-lzx6NGPIHIEGo3dqAFxDpUxRRti/view

https://github.com/lua-lipa/SpaceBruscar_

The project uses the data provided on space debris (lat, long, alt) in order to plot them as red dots above the sphere (earth) surface to represent the space debris for the user to freely navigate.

This project works by displaying a 4k 3d globe in which the user can freely navigate and view all of the respective space debris locations represented by red dots. The data is read in the main.js file and is used to plot these red points above the earth's surface. The file uses three.js for creating the globe and its movement and for creating the red dots above the earth. It also use's satellite.js for getting the position and velocity of the debris so that we accurately map the debris in real time. Finally, it makes use of some GLSL files we created to create the shading and atmosphere of the globe. We currently are using the vite server to run our project locally. 

We hope to raise awareness on the extent at which space debris is polluting our earths orbit. This in turn we hope would shine a light for our future generations as well as the current to care more about what we leave behind in space and increase the importance of space debris collection as it will, at this rate, without a doubt impact our future space missions.

We made use of the following tools, coding languages and software to develop our project:

• Vite Project
• JS, HTML, CSS
• GLSL
• satellite.js
• three.js

Our project can be accessed and trialed at the following link: https://www.spacebruscar.co

We made use of the Space-Track data that was suggested in the considerations section of the challenge.

We used Space-Track's TLE data, which is the de facto standard for distribution of an Earth-orbiting object's orbital elements, to gain information on the full catalog on what's is currently in space, then utilising this data we used satellite.js to calculate the debris location in space in real time.

We chose space-track over CelesTrak because of space-tracks commitment to safe travel which we believe could be compromised due to space debris.

We would describe our hackathon experience as educational. We were all able to learn more about languages that we weren't very familiar with such as javascript and GLSL, as well as learning how to work together as a team and develop a product we are proud of, at the end of just 48 hours!

We were inspired to choose this challenge as we were interested in a data related project and also the concept of Space Trash and mapping debris seemed very cool. It's also nothing like any projects we have done before, as its graphics heavy, and we were up for a challenge.

Our approach was as follows:

1. Start our 48 hours with research into the technologies we should use, where we can get our data and how we would divide up our work.
2. Once our research was complete, we all synced up and discussed what we found and began assigning roles.
3. We began with downloading the data into the format we needed.
4. We moved onto implementing a plain sphere which we later mapped a world on to.
5. Next we mapped a single red dot (coordinate) on to the globe and made sure it took into account altitude and hoovered over the globe.
6. Next on the agenda was to read in the data and have multiple red dots appearing in accordance with the data.
7. Finally we focused on appearance of the globe adding shading elements to do our best to represent out world in its true beauty.

We resolved setbacks and challenges through google, discussions and contacting mentors for help on issues that arouse relating to data retrieval.

We would like to thank Sahir Sharma for answering queries, bringing us this opportunity as its brought us closer together as team and, after using new tools and libraries, has broadened our love for coding.

https://vitejs.dev

https://threejs.org

https://github.com/shashwatak/satellite-js

https://www.space-track.org/basicspacedata/query/class/gp/EPOCH/%3Enow-30/orderby/NORAD_CAT_ID,EPOCH/format/3le

#programming #space #satellites #spacetrash

This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.