DATA COLLECTION
PhosphorOrbit does not collect, store, or transmit any personal data. The app does not require an account, registration, or sign-in of any kind.
NETWORK REQUESTS
PhosphorOrbit connects to CelesTrak public APIs to retrieve orbital element data (TLEs/OMM) for catalogued space objects. When CelesTrak cannot be reached, it requests the same kind of public orbital data from SatNOGS DB. These requests are made directly from your device to those servers and carry no personal information. No data passes through any intermediary server operated by us.
LOCATION DATA
PhosphorOrbit uses your device's location solely to compute satellite positions relative to your observer location — azimuth, elevation, range, and pass predictions. This location information is processed entirely on-device and is never transmitted, stored, or shared with any third party. If you decline location permission, the app defaults to a fixed observer position.
LOCAL DATA STORAGE
PhosphorOrbit caches orbital element data locally on your device to provide offline functionality and reduce network requests. This data consists solely of publicly available CelesTrak, SatNOGS and NORAD catalogue entries and contains no personal information. User preferences (colour theme, watchlist, filters) are stored in local UserDefaults. This data never leaves your device.
ANALYTICS AND TRACKING
PhosphorOrbit does not include any analytics frameworks, crash reporters, advertising SDKs, or third-party tracking of any kind.
THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
PhosphorOrbit communicates with two external services, both for public orbital data only. CelesTrak, operated by Dr. T.S. Kelso, redistributes orbital data from the US Space Force 18th Space Defense Squadron and is the primary source. SatNOGS DB, run by the Libre Space Foundation, is used only when CelesTrak cannot be reached. Their use of any data is governed by their own policies.
CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
PhosphorOrbit does not collect data from anyone, including children.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted here with a revised date.
CONTACT
If you have questions about this privacy policy, please open an issue on the PhosphorOrbit GitHub repository.
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