Uploading TLE elements to the Skysensor 2000

Manual for SS2K_convert.exe

The SkySensor2000 (SS2K) is able to track artificial satellites, but to be able to do this, 
the orbital elements of these satellites have to be entered in the SS2k. This is a laborious 
task if done by hand. 

But you can upload the elements as a text file into the SS2K via the serial port. The 
textfile format differs from the format of the 2 line elements (TLE) as published by several 
organisations. So you have to edit them by hand.  To make it easy, I created a small 
conversion program that places the satellites you want in the right order in a file that can 
be uploaded directly to the SS2K.

TLE format:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
ISS (ZARYA)
1 25544U 98067A   02146.17447807  .00025588  00000-0  31666-3 0  4922
2 25544  51.6335 163.6170 0006823 114.8799   1.3481 15.59898753200590
STARSHINE 3
1 26929U 01043A   02145.98677306  .00045622  00000-0  73792-3 0  2953
2 26929  67.0443 108.2330 0012421 267.5971  92.3464 15.52504004 36641
---------------------------------------------------------------------

SS2K format:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
satel 1
tle
ISS (ZARYA)
1 25544U 98067A   02146.17447807  .00025588  00000-0  31666-3 0  4922
2 25544  51.6335 163.6170 0006823 114.8799   1.3481 15.59898753200590
satel 2
tle
STARSHINE 3
1 26929U 01043A   02145.98677306  .00045622  00000-0  73792-3 0  2953
2 26929  67.0443 108.2330 0012421 267.5971  92.3464 15.52504004 36641
---------------------------------------------------------------------

HOW TO USE THE SOFTWARE

Unzip SS2KTLE.ZIP in a new directory, for instance on the desktop.
Edit the sat.cfg (in Notepad for instance) to get the satellites you want in the right order. 
The SS2K can contain a maximum of 30 artificial satellites!

The names in this cfg file have to be EXAXTLY the same as in the TLE you get from your 
supplier. No extra spaces or linefeeds!
Put the fresh TLE elements in a textfile tle.txt (as supplied in the ZIP file)
Start ss2k_convert.exe and view (using notepad) the contents of ss2k.txt that is created 
in the same directory.

Connect the serial cable between PC and SS2K.
Switch the SS2k on, setup the "Config" , "Telescope Config", "PC protocol" to SkySensor2000 
and 9600 Baud protocol.

If you use com2 you can click ss2k.ht to start Hyperterminal, otherwise you have to edit the 
settings in Hyperterminal. Hyperterminal is a standard Windows 9X component, so you 
should be able to find it somwhere on your computer, otherwise just install it from your original 
Windows 9X CD.

If you press ENTER in Hyperteminal, the SS2K should respond with a "[0/0:0] ready" message. 
If this works, you can use "Send" "Text File to upload ss2k.txt to the SS2K

When finished without errors, you can switch the SS2k off, and disconnect the serial cable.
If you get an error, just send the file again, sometimes you get a transfer error due to noise on 
the serial cable.

You can use any other terminal software to upload the ss2k.txt file to the SS2K.
The protocol settings are:

9600 Baud
8 bits
1 stopbit
no parity
Xon/Xoff

You can get NASA TLE elements (you have to register first):

http://oig1.gsfc.nasa.gov/scripts/foxweb.exe/homepage@app01?tdac=NKOB4PDFG9AV2JV2TZUG

After logging in you have to configure your favourite TLE Query.

The object numbers of the satellites in my list are:

ISS (ZARYA)	25544
STARSHINE 3	26929
LACROSSE 2	21147
LACROSSE 4	26474
COSMOS 2367	26040
NOAA 10		16969
NOAA 11		19531
NOAA 12		21263
NOAA 14		23455
NOAA 15		25338
NOAA 16		26536
METEOR 3-5	21655
METEOR 2-21	22782
RESURS O1-N4	25394
SICH 1		23657
UARS		21701
HST		20580


Or you can get a list from AMSAT:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasa.all
Or have a look at:

http://www.satobs.org/satintro.html
http://www.wingar.demon.co.uk/satevo/
http://users2.ev1.net/~mmccants/

Have fun!

You can use this software for free for personal non commercial use. If you give it to others, 
you have to distribute the entire zip file.

Please send me your comments and thoughts, I am planning to write a GUI version that 
connects directly to the SS2K.

May 26 2002

Albert van Duin
albert@technoplus.nl
http://www/technoplus.nl/astro/