Desktop vs web¶
ASTROLAB is one product with two hosts. The mission tree, assets, analyses, 3D / 2D scene, and .astrolab file are shared. This page is the side-by-side view; start from Platforms if you only need to choose a host.
| Topic | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|
| How you open it | Native application | Browser — astrolab.stellor.space |
| Sign-in | Local workspace | Account (Trial or paid plan) |
| Mission storage | Files on disk | Cloud library + .astrolab import / export |
| Where analyses run | On your machine | STELLOR cloud |
| Workspace | Native IDE and Mission Viewer windows | Three-column Design view; compact shell on tablet and phone |
| 3D / 2D | Separate Mission Viewer windows | Same scene; toolbar switches 3D ↔ 2D |
| Globe display options | Settings on the Mission Viewer (3D vs 2D window) | Scenario → 3D Viewer / 2D Viewer tabs |
| Playback | Viewer header (UTC, speed, transport; N/S/W on 3D) | Same clock idea in the scene toolbar |
| Reporting | Report & Graph Manager | Dashboard (compact on small screens) |
| Best for | Offline and long local sessions | Access anywhere, Trial, cloud library |
Practical guidance¶
- Use Web to evaluate ASTROLAB, to open a mission from any computer, and to keep a cloud copy in the Engineering Portal.
- Use Desktop when your organisation has issued the native application and you want analyses to run locally.
- Move work with
.astrolab— Platforms.