Space Object

The Space Object asset represents a TLE-based population of space objects. It is useful for environmental context, catalog visualization, and future debris or conjunction-related workflows.

Role in ASTROLAB

Workflow	Space Object role
3D visualization	Renders catalog populations as points.
Environment modelling	Provides external object population context.
Future conjunction workflows	Candidate source for catalog-based screening.

Catalog Pipeline

flowchart TD
    F["TLE file paths"] --> L["Load text lines"]
    L --> T["Parse TLE pairs"]
    T --> P["Create TLE propagators"]
    P --> W["Compute validity window"]
    P --> S["Sample positions at viewer time"]

Main Parameters

Field	Meaning
population_id	Display name for the population.
population_paths	Paths to one or more TLE files.
validity_days	Padding around TLE epochs for the valid display interval.
visible	Whether the population is visible.
render_mode	Rendering mode, currently point-oriented.
color	Optional RGBA display color.

Limitations

• A Space Object asset is a population, not a single fully modelled spacecraft.
• It provides positions, not attitude or mounted subsystem modelling.
• Accuracy depends on TLE age and propagation limitations.