Earth Observation
The flagship satellite of NASA's Earth Observing System, launched in 1999 to study the planet's land, oceans, and atmosphere as an integrated system. Still returning data after more than two decades in orbit.
Position is computed in real time using two-line element (TLE) orbital data from CelesTrak and the SGP4 propagation model — the same standard used across the satellite tracking industry.
The globe recalculates Terra's position continuously, and refreshes its orbital elements from CelesTrak every few minutes to keep predictions accurate as the orbit naturally decays and is corrected.
Also see Tiangong (CSS), NOAA-20 (JPSS-1), GOES-16, or browse the full satellite catalog.