Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is satellite spectrum interference?
Spectrum interference occurs when two or more satellites operating in overlapping frequency bands have overlapping ground coverage at the same time. This can degrade signal quality, cause dropped connections, or completely disrupt service for affected ground stations and users.
Why does interference matter?
As orbital congestion increases, unplanned interference events are becoming more frequent and costly. Service disruptions can impact mission-critical communications, lost revenue for commercial operators, and regulatory compliance issues. Proactive interference forecasting helps you avoid these problems.
Who uses Vega?
Satellite operators, ground station providers, spectrum managers, and space operations teams use Vega to forecast interference, coordinate spectrum usage, and optimize link budgets.
Technical
How does Vega forecast interference?
Vega combines three data sources:
- Real-time orbital tracking - TLE data updated daily
- Frequency allocation databases - Regulatory filings and spectrum assignments
- Geospatial coverage analysis - Calculate when satellite footprints overlap
We propagate satellite positions forward in time, identify which satellites share spectrum with yours, and calculate when their ground coverage footprints will overlap. Learn more about our methodology →
How accurate are the forecasts?
Forecast accuracy depends on TLE freshness. For 1-3 day forecasts with daily TLE updates, orbital position accuracy is typically within 1-2 km. Accuracy degrades beyond 7 days as orbital perturbations accumulate. Frequency mappings are tagged with confidence scores based on data source quality.
How far in advance can you predict interference?
We provide 7-day rolling forecasts, updated daily as new orbital data becomes available. Forecasts beyond 7 days are possible but accuracy degrades due to orbital perturbations, atmospheric drag variations, and potential satellite maneuvers.
What satellites does Vega track?
We track all active satellites with published TLE data and frequency allocations. This includes commercial communications constellations, government satellites with public spectrum filings, and amateur radio satellites. We currently have orbital data for over 11,000 active satellites.
Can I track satellites in any orbit?
Yes. Vega supports satellites in all orbit types: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Geostationary Orbit (GEO), and Highly Elliptical Orbits (HEO). Our orbital mechanics calculations handle all standard orbit geometries.
What if my satellite performs a maneuver?
Satellite maneuvers aren't reflected in TLE data until after they occur. If your satellite performs a planned maneuver, forecasts will be inaccurate until fresh TLEs are published (typically within 24-48 hours). We recommend running a new analysis after maneuvers.
Pricing & Plans
How much does Vega cost?
Pricing is per-satellite with three tiers:
- Free: One demo satellite (ISS) included
- Basic ($9/month per satellite): For small operators tracking 1-10 satellites
- Enterprise ($90/month per satellite): Advanced features and priority support
Annual plans receive 20% discount.
Do you offer a free trial?
Yes. New customers automatically receive a 30-day free trial of paid features. No credit card required to start tracking your first satellite.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time. You'll retain access until the end of your billing period.
Data & Privacy
Is my satellite data private?
Yes. Your tracked satellites, analysis results, and custom configurations are only visible to your account. We use multi-tenant isolation to ensure your data is separate from other customers. See our security practices →
Do you sell customer data?
No. We never sell your personal information or satellite tracking data to third parties. Read our Privacy Policy →
Where is data stored?
All data is stored in the United States with encrypted backups.
Support
How do I get help?
Email [email protected] for technical support, billing questions, or feature requests. Enterprise customers receive priority support with faster response times.
Can I request new features?
Yes. We actively incorporate customer feedback into our product roadmap. Email your suggestions to [email protected].
Still have questions?
Contact us directly or start your free trial to see how Vega works.