M
API Matrix

TLE API

Science & Math / No Auth Required Beginner HTTPS
Free to Use Varies (check documentation)
87 Score
Grade A
Visit Official Site Compare Alternatives

Overview

The TLE API provides up-to-date orbital data for satellites currently orbiting Earth, sourced from NORAD datasets. Each satellite entry includes its TLE data, name, and satellite catalog number, which you can use with orbital mechanics libraries to calculate a satellite current position. It is free and requires no authentication, making it a great starting point for space and satellite tracking projects.

💡

Beginner Tip

TLE data contains the orbital parameters needed to predict a satellite position. Feed the returned line1 and line2 strings into a library like satellite.js in JavaScript or sgp4 in Python to calculate where the satellite is right now.

Available Data

Use case: Integrate satellite information data into web and mobile applications
TLE data via REST API
JSON-formatted response data
Freely accessible without authentication

Example Response

JSON Response 
{
  "status": "success",
  "data": {
    "result": "Data from TLE",
    "description": "Satellite information",
    "timestamp": "2025-01-15T10:00:00Z"
  }
}

Field Reference

satelliteId NORAD catalog number uniquely identifying the satellite.
name Official name of the satellite.
date ISO 8601 date when this TLE data was generated or last updated.
line1 First line of the Two-Line Element set containing epoch and orbital decay data.
line2 Second line of the TLE set containing inclination, eccentricity, and other orbital elements.

Implementation Example 

const url = "https://tle.ivanstanojevic.me/";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

Empty member array The search term did not match any known satellite names.
✓ Try broader search terms — use ISS for the International Space Station or the NORAD catalog number directly in the URL as /api/tle/{id}.
Outdated TLE data producing inaccurate position TLE data becomes less accurate as satellites drift from predicted orbits over time.
✓ Check the date field on each TLE entry and discard data older than a few days; refresh from the API daily for accurate tracking.
404 Not Found for specific satellite ID The satellite catalog number does not exist in the dataset or the satellite has deorbited.
✓ Verify the NORAD catalog number at celestrak.org before requesting, or use the search endpoint to find the correct ID.

Matrix Score Breakdown

🌐 Reachability 30/30
⚡ Speed 15/20
🔒 Security 15/15
🛠 Developer XP 20/20
✓ Reliability 7/15
Response Time 354ms

Fully tested on Apr 5, 2026

Technical Specifications

Auth No Auth
HTTPS REQUIRED
CORS NO
Category Science & Math
Difficulty Beginner
Verified: 2026-04-04

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