Unable to update TLE data from local files

Thank you for welcoming me into the community.
I have tried to update TLE data from local files but have been unsuccessful.

My computer details and process :
Windows 10 pro
gredict 2.3.37
I create a folder in windows desktop named newsats
I create a txt file called zimsat-2 with TLE information below

1 99286U 24313.92792824 .00000000 00000-0 50000-4 0 02
2 99286 97.4000 178.8710 0016237 166.8861 277.9347 15.23674231 06

From gredict I select update TLE info from local files
I select TLE directory (newsats)
It does find the new satellite and on the second try message says satellite skipped=1
But I cannot find the new Satellite - zimsat-2 in the configure satellites menu
You assistance would be appreciated.

Hi Jeets,

The “T” from TLE stands actually for “Three”.
So you need another line before the first one indicating the name of the satellite.

Looking at the TLEs SatNOGS provides, it’s ZIMSAT-2.

ZIMSAT-2
1 99286U 24313.92792824 .00000000 00000-0 50000-4 0 02
2 99286 97.4000 178.8710 0016237 166.8861 277.9347 15.23674231 06

The name of the TLE file is irrelevant.

Daniel, dl7ndr

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I think it is Two-line element set - Wikipedia but indeed in most of the files you need an extra line for the name of the satellite. In space-track they use the term 3le as the format of the TLE with three lines.

@jeets
As @dl7ndr said you will need this extra line and also make sure that they are right formatted and with the right checksum digit at the end. For the checksum you can use this online tool. For the format check the Wikipedia link above.

If you want to get in gpredict the TLE from SatNOGS DB you can add it as an online source, in Preferences → General panel → TLE Update tab → add tle source and replace the link with https://db.satnogs.org/api/tle/?format=3le

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Hi Daniel and Freddy,

Thank you for reviewing my question and sharing your prompt responses.
I did learn something new that the TLE is 3 lines not 2. I updated the .txt file as below to reflect the satellite name:
ZIMSAT-2
1 99286U 24313.92792824 .00000000 00000-0 50000-4 0 02
2 99286 97.4000 178.8710 0016237 166.8861 277.9347 15.23674231 06

Also used online tool and checked that the sums were indeed correct for both TLE lines.
I then tried updating the TLE via the local file process again and it does reflect satellites skipped :1.
I still cant find the ZIMSAT-2 satellite in the configure menu to track. What am I doing wrong?

Hi,
I’m not sure what makes it skip, it might be that the ID already exists, or the data hasn’t changed, or some other variation. When adding satellite, make sure you use the ID and not name.
I’m pretty sure the name is only read the first time it is discovered by the updater.
I think you should start with a cleanup, with gpredict-con.exe use:
--clean-tle

  • Clean the TLE data in user’s configuration directory

Before cleaning up all data, create a new module (CRTL+N) and then search ZIMSAT-2 by entering 99286.

Also check the satdata folder (near the logs folder). There has to be a file named 99286 in it.
This is mine:

[Satellite]
VERSION=1.1
NAME=ZIMSAT-2
NICKNAME=ZIMSAT-2
TLE1=1 99286U 24313.92792824 .00000000 00000-0 50000-4 0 02
TLE2=2 99286 97.4000 178.8710 0016237 166.8861 277.9347 15.23674231 06
STATUS=0

I am not sure if that TLE is valid, because the white spaces are not correct, but that might also be caused by the forum. It should look like this:

ZIMSAT-2
1 99286U          24313.92792824  .00000000  00000-0  50000-4 0    02
2 99286  97.4000 178.8710 0016237 166.8861 277.9347 15.23674231    06

according https://www.whatswrongwithmytle.com/

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Hi Daniel,

I created a new module and searched for Zimsat-2 by entering 99286 and found the satellite named 2000 (that should surely be Zimsat-2). I will track on 437.050 for SSTV for the Zimbabwean flag.
Thank you for your assistance. Much appreciated.

Hi Jeets,

I’ve found the cause of your problem.

You are looking for 99286. This is ZIMSAT-1. It decayed 2023-05-31.

You have to search for 98777. That’s ZIMSAT-2!
The TLE provided by SatNOGS and what is display on the data tab on SatNOGS DB for ZIMSAT-2 is unfortunately wrong.

Anyway, TLE are already pretty old. My last reception of the satellite was on 8th. Good luck!

Daniel

@fredy fixed it only just. Just update your TLE and it should go the right way.
The current TLE for ZIMSAT-2 are from 8th.

Thanks Daniel,
Included the
I searched for 98777 and it does come up with the ZIMSAT-2 name.

Thank you
ZS6JKN
South Africa

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