Orbit: AR iOS app to track and view 15000+ satellites and celestial objects

What it does

Orbit is an iOS app that displays satellites, planets, constellations, and orbital debris in augmented reality. Users point their iPhone or iPad camera at the sky to locate objects overhead, including the ISS and thousands of other spacecraft. The app tracks over 15,000 objects and provides pass predictions, orbital data, and descriptions for each. A searchable catalog lets users browse all tracked objects, and a built-in AI chatbot answers space-related questions.

Who it is for

The app targets astronomy enthusiasts, space educators, and casual observers interested in seeing what satellites pass overhead from their location. It works for anyone with an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17 or later who wants real-time tracking and identification of orbital objects.

Pricing

The site does not show prices.

How it stands out

Orbit combines multiple viewing modes—augmented reality, 2D map, and 3D globe—rather than relying on a single interface. The catalog covers 15,000+ objects sourced from CelesTrack, a well-established public data provider. Pass predictions are personalized to the user's location and calculated locally on device. The inclusion of an AI chatbot for space questions differentiates it from basic tracking apps. The app emphasizes privacy by not requiring an account and processing camera feeds locally without storage or transmission.

What a founder should check

First, map the competitive landscape. Apps like Stellarium, SkySafari, and NASA's official tracking tools already serve parts of this market. Determine which have AR features, how many objects they track, and what their user bases look like. Second, assess switching costs. Most satellite trackers have minimal lock-in—users can switch freely without data loss or habit formation. Understanding what would make users stick matters. Third, evaluate the moat. Orbit relies on publicly available orbital data from CelesTrack, which competitors can access too. The differentiation appears to be in UI design and the chatbot feature. Check whether the AR implementation, data accuracy, or interface polish creates sustainable advantage or whether improved competitors could replicate it quickly.

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Every launch here is a competitor to somebody's idea. If yours is close, check it against the market before you build: the Full Check names the rivals, the prices and the gaps.