How to See Starlink Satellite Train 2023

~9 min
Topics:Space MissionsSkywatchingTutorials
A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with Starlink satellites
©Vito Technology, Inc.

Have you ever seen a moving chain of bright dots in the night sky? If you haven’t, you should! Starlink satellites provide a stunning sight as they travel across the sky, resembling a brilliant “train of lights”. Here, you’ll learn what Starlink satellites are and how to spot them from your location. We constantly update the article with info on upcoming and past satellite launches, so you’ll never miss your chance to see a Starlink “train”!

Contents

For those of you who haven’t heard about Starlink, here’s a quick recap. Starlink is a huge satellite system that aims at providing even the most remote areas of the Earth with high-speed Internet service. It has been developed and constructed by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX since 2015.

The satellites are launched into orbit by batches. As of today, 13 batches have been sent into space, and now 775 solar-powered satellites are orbiting the Earth. Eventually, SpaceX plans to build a massive 12,000-satellite constellation, with a possible later extension of the number to 42,000.

You can read about previous Starlink missions in our article.

There have been debates about the potential problems that Starlink satellites can create. Already, there are about 5,000 satellites in the Earth’s orbit. If SpaceX’s plan succeeds, our skies will be swarmed with man-made objects reflecting light. This can hinder the work of professional astronomers whose images of the sky will be contaminated with satellites. Another problem is that so many objects can potentially collide with each other creating space junk.

In response to the first concern, SpaceX has already tested two prototype satellites with darkened surfaces: DarkSat and VisorSat. Now, all the satellites beginning with the Starlink-8 mission have anti-reflective surfaces. As for the second problem, Elon Musk said that the satellites are designed to deorbit within five years in the case of failure.

Starlink satellites offer a spectacular sight – they look like a train of bright spots in the night sky. You can easily see them with the naked eye if you know where and when to look.

Mobile apps are one of the most convenient satellite-tracking tools. They are always at hand, provide real-time information, and offer a range of features that make it easier for users to locate satellites. Many of them can operate without the Internet, which means you can use them anywhere around the globe. Let's see how to find Starlinks via mobile apps.

Satellite Tracker

The Satellite Tracker app is explicitly designed to locate and identify satellites. Use it to see the satellite’s trajectory on the Earth’s map or the real night sky. The app also shows a 3D model of the satellite in its current position above the Earth. Use the three buttons at the bottom of the main screen to switch between the three display modes.

To find Starlink via Satellite Tracker, tap the satellite icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Choose the “All” tab and scroll down until you find the “SpaceX’s Starlink” section. Then, choose the launch you’re interested in and tap the “Track” button next to one or multiple satellites to add them to your tracking list. Tap on one of the satellites you are interested in to select it and return to the main screen.

How to track Starlinks via Satellite Tracker
Download Satellite Tracker for free and get a powerful tool for spotting satellites in real-time.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

To locate the satellite in the sky above you, tap the far right button on the bottom panel of the main screen and follow the white arrow to see where the satellite is right now.

The “Next pass” timer counts the time left until the next flyby of the selected satellite over your location. To set a reminder, tap the timer and the alarm clock button in the drop-down list.

Star Walk 2

The Star Walk 2 stargazing app shows the location of various sky objects, including Starlinks. Here, you can also find information about the satellites and their accurate 3D models.

To find Starlink via Star Walk 2, tap the magnifier icon. Then, tap on the satellite icon in the bottom bar of the search panel. Find the latest launched Starlinks at the top of the “Main Satellites” list. To track a specific mission, scroll down to the “SpaceX’s Starlink” section and tap the mission's name to see the satellite list. Tap on a satellite to get accurate information on its position and trajectory.

How to track Starlinks via Star Walk 2
Open Star Walk 2 and enjoy the view of the satellites floating overhead against the backdrop of stylized constellations.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

You can use Star Walk 2 to find a chosen satellite in the night sky above you. Follow our tutorial and spot satellites with ease.

Sky Tonight

Use Sky Tonight to get free information about the current location of Starlink satellites. The minimalistic design and flexible search system make it easy to use for everyone.

To find Starlink via Sky Tonight, tap the magnifier icon and open the search menu. Then, type “Starlink” into the search field and choose the satellite you want to track. Tap the blue target icon, and the app will show the satellite’s position on the sky map. Tap the big blue button or point your device up and follow the white arrow to find it in the real sky.

How to track Starlinks via Sky Tonight
Never miss an upcoming Starlink flyby with Sky Tonight – one of the most convenient tools for finding and tracking celestial objects.
©Vito Technology, Inc.

If the satellite is below the horizon, tap the blue timestamp instead of the target icon. The app will show the moment when the satellite is visible in your region. Tap the bell icon in the upper right corner of the screen to set a reminder on the future flyby.

Several websites will also help you to view Starlink satellites.

  • On the Heavens-Above website, you can get predictions about Starlinks’ passes in the special section dedicated to these satellites. Select the mission you’re interested in, set the date, and get the information on the next satellites’ pass. Or look for Starlink satellites through the “Satellite Database” section.
  • On the N2YO.com, you can type the name of a Starlink satellite in the search field, and the tool will show you its position and trajectory. Moreover, it will help you track satellites you’re interested in, get 10-day predictions, and complete information about them.
  • On the findstarlink.com website, you can learn when the Starlink satellite trains are expected to be visible at some specific place. Enter the name or coordinates of the desired location to get a list of flybys sorted by visibility. Also, check the Live Map to see satellite trajectories on a world map.

There are many other satellite-tracking websites, so you can always choose the one that suits you best. However, not all of them are mobile-friendly, so check whether the site loads on a smartphone and whether it is convenient for you to use its mobile version. The other downside is that the websites can’t be used without the Internet, so they won't help you if you observe satellites somewhere out of town, away from city lights (and good mobile coverage). So, if you prefer websites, it is better to find out all the information you want about satellite trajectory and flyby time in advance using your PC or laptop.

Keep track of the deployment of the world's largest satellite constellation! Watch for the latest breaking updates, quickly find out how many Starlink satellites are in orbit at the moment, and learn details about recent launches.

On May 19, at 06:19 GMT (2:19 a.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 84th batch of 22 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,469 units.

On May 14, at 05:03 GMT (01:03 a.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 83rd batch of 56 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,447 units.

On May 10, at 20:09 GMT (04:09 p.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 82nd batch of 51 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,391 units.

On May 4, at 07:31 GMT (03:31 a.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 81st batch of 56 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,340 units.

On April 27, at 13:40 GMT (09:40 a.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 80th batch of 46 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,284 units.

On April 19, at 14:31 GMT (10:31 a.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 79th batch of 21 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,238 units.

On March 29, at 20:01 GMT (4:01 p.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 78th batch of 56 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,217 units.

On March 24, at 15:43 GMT (11:43 a.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 77th batch of 56 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,161 units.

On March 17, at 19:26 GMT (3:26 p.m. EDT), SpaceX launched the 76th batch of 52 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,105 units.

On March 3, 2023, at 18:38 GMT (1:52 p.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 75th batch of 51 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,053 units.

On February 28, at 23:13 GMT (06:13 p.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 74th batch of 21 Gen 2 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 4,003 units.

On February 17, 2023, at 19:12 GMT (2:12 p.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 73rd batch of 51 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 3,981 units.

On February 12, at 05:10 GMT (12:10 a.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 72nd batch of 55 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 3,930 units.

On February 2, 2023, at 07:58 GMT (02:58 a.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 71st batch of 53 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 3,875 units.

On January 31, 2023, at 16:15 GMT (11:15 p.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 70th batch of 49 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 3,822 units.

On January 26, 2023, at 09:32 GMT (January 26, 4:32 a.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 69th batch of 56 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 3,773 units.

On January 19, 2023, at 15:23 GMT (10:23 a.m. EST), SpaceX launched the 68th batch of 51 Starlink internet satellites. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. This mission boosted the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 3,717 units.

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Topics:Space MissionsSkywatchingTutorials
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