OpTA: what I'm building

I’m trying to build OpTA: a low-cost, open-source optical array for tracking satellites from the ground.

The point is simple: meteor networks are open and proven, satellite tracking is still fragmented and mostly closed.
OpTA is meant to be a practical reference node anyone can build, calibrate, and run.

What one node does

• watches the full hemisphere passively (staring)
• detects satellites over multiple frames
• outputs timestamped RA/Dec tracklets for orbit determination

Design targets

• cost per node: < 3,000 CHF
• wide field optics
• useful sensitivity goal

Why this matters

One node is useful.
A network of independent nodes means open, distributed orbital awareness instead of a black box.

To see the progress, check out my logbook.