Automation
Contact Scheduling Engine
REST API–first scheduling. Submit a NORAD ID, get pass predictions back in minutes, reserve contact windows — without any human-in-the-loop for routine missions. The scheduler handles conflict resolution, Doppler pre-compensation, and CCSDS framing configuration automatically. You operate the mission; we operate the antenna.
Orbital Element Management
Submit your NORAD catalog ID and our propagator fetches and caches current TLE sets from Space-Track.org. Manual TLE upload also supported for pre-launch and classified missions.
{
"norad_id": 58320,
"mission_name": "STRATOS-3A",
"refresh_cadence": "6h",
"auto_update": true
}
Once ingested, the propagator runs pass predictions for the next 7 days across all available stations every 6 hours. Stale TLE detection triggers automatic refresh if element age exceeds the configured cadence. This ensures your AOS/LOS windows remain accurate to within tens of seconds even for rapidly decaying low-altitude orbits.
AOS / LOS / Doppler Data
| Station | AOS (UTC) | LOS (UTC) | Max El | Doppler @ Max El | Duration | Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZA-Alpha | 2025-05-14 03:42:18Z | 2025-05-14 03:53:44Z | 71.4° | +28.4 kHz | 11m 26s | X-band |
| AB-Bravo | 2025-05-14 05:11:07Z | 2025-05-14 05:22:30Z | 62.1° | +24.8 kHz | 11m 23s | X-band |
| AD-Delta | 2025-05-14 07:38:55Z | 2025-05-14 07:48:21Z | 89.0° | +32.1 kHz | 9m 26s | Ka-band |
Conflict Resolution & Priority Tiers
When two operators request overlapping contact windows at the same station, the scheduler resolves conflicts using priority tiers. Tier assignment is based on subscription level and mission-critical flags set at booking time.
| Priority Tier | Pre-emption Policy | Available to |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Critical | May pre-empt Standard and Best Effort | Custom Network tier |
| Standard | May pre-empt Best Effort; may be pre-empted by Mission Critical | Constellation tier |
| Best Effort | No pre-emption rights | Mission Starter tier |
Pre-emption events trigger a schedule.conflict_detected webhook to the affected operator with alternative window options. Pre-empted contacts are not billed.
CCSDS Framing Options
Uplink Frame Format
CCSDS TC Transfer Frame (CCSDS 232.0-B-4). Fixed 1024-bit frames with version number, bypass flag, control command flag, SCID, and VCID fields. Pseudo-randomization available. Virtual channel assignment per spacecraft command interface.
Downlink Frame Format
CCSDS TM Transfer Frame (CCSDS 132.0-B-3). Variable frame length up to 2048 octets. Master channel / virtual channel multiplexing with VCID mapping configured per mission at onboarding. Frame error control (RS or LDPC) supported.
Multi-mission Multiplexing
Up to 8 virtual channels per physical link. VCID assignment is operator-configured and persistent across contacts. Orbitvein's shared-antenna architecture routes demultiplexed TM frames to per-operator secure delivery endpoints using the VCID map.
Schedule a Contact via REST
import requests
api_key = "orbv_sk_live_..."
base_url = "https://api.orbitvein.com/v1"
response = requests.post(
f"{base_url}/contacts/schedule",
headers={"X-API-Key": api_key},
json={
"norad_id": 58320,
"station": "ZA-Alpha",
"aos_utc": "2025-05-14T03:42:18Z",
"los_utc": "2025-05-14T03:53:44Z",
"frequency_band": "X",
"aperture_m": 5.4,
"priority": "standard",
"ccsds_mode": "TM_TC"
}
)
print(response.json())First Pass Predictions in Minutes
Submit your spacecraft's NORAD ID via the API or the contact form. Pass predictions across all available stations come back within minutes. First contact can be scheduled within 48 hours.