Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect a limited amount of information:

• Usage & device data: browser type, device type, general region (derived from IP address), pages visited, and how you interact with the Service. This is typically collected automatically by our hosting provider and any analytics or advertising scripts running on the site.
• Precise location (optional): if you grant permission, we access your device's GPS/location via your browser to power features like “What's Above Me” and “Next Pass.” See Location Data below for how this is handled.
• Email address (optional): if you sign up for a pass-alert notification, we collect the email address and satellite you provide, used solely to send you that notification.
• Cookies & similar technologies: used for basic site functionality and by advertising partners, described in Cookies & Advertising.

We do not require an account to use OrbitMap, and we do not knowingly collect payment information, government ID numbers, or other sensitive personal data.

2. Location Data

Location-based features are opt-in and use your browser's built-in Geolocation API. Your coordinates are used locally, in your browser, to calculate things like what's currently overhead or when a satellite will next be visible from where you are. We do not store your precise location on our servers, sell it, or share it with advertisers. You can deny or revoke location permission at any time through your browser or device settings, and the Service will continue to work without it (with location-based features unavailable).

3. Cookies & Advertising

OrbitMap may display advertising, including through Google AdSense and other ad networks, to help support the cost of running the Service. These networks may use cookies, device identifiers, or similar technologies to serve ads based on your visit to this and other websites.

• Google and its partners use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this site or other sites on the internet.
• You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google's Ads Settings or www.aboutads.info/choices.
• Most browsers let you block or delete cookies through their settings; doing so may affect how parts of the Service function.
• We use a cookie consent banner to comply with applicable privacy regulations (such as GDPR).

4. Affiliate Links

Some pages on OrbitMap, including blog posts and product mentions, may contain affiliate links. If you click one of these links and make a qualifying purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships never influence the accuracy of the satellite tracking data we display. Full details are in our Terms of Service.

5. Third-Party Services We Use

OrbitMap relies on a small number of external services:

• CelesTrak — public source of satellite orbital data (TLEs). We send requests to CelesTrak to fetch this data; no personal data is transmitted as part of that request.
• OpenStreetMap Nominatim — used for optional place-name search and reverse geocoding when you type a location instead of sharing GPS.
• Hosting & infrastructure providers (e.g. Vercel) — process standard web request logs (IP address, request time, etc.) as part of serving the site.
• Advertising networks (e.g. Google AdSense) — described above.

Each of these services has its own privacy practices, and we encourage you to review them if you have concerns about a specific provider.

6. Local Storage on Your Device

To make the app more useful, some preferences are saved directly in your browser's local storage rather than on our servers, including: favorited satellites, saved pass alerts, and accessibility preferences (like high-contrast mode). This data stays on your device and is not transmitted to us. Clearing your browser data will remove it.

7. Data Retention & Security

We retain the limited data we collect (such as email addresses submitted for pass alerts) only for as long as needed to provide that feature, or until you ask us to delete it. We take reasonable technical measures to protect information in our control, but no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we can't guarantee absolute security.

8. Children's Privacy

OrbitMap is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

9. Your Rights & Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, or delete personal information we hold about you, or to object to certain processing (for example, under the GDPR in the EU/UK or the CCPA/CPRA in California). To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email below and we'll respond within a reasonable time.

To request deletion of your email address (from pass alerts) or any other personal data we hold, please email info@orbitmap.space with the subject “Data Deletion Request”.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.