前段时间，Analytic Graphics Inc.公司发布了一款新的实时地标。该地标并非显示地球上的某地点，而是地球上空盘旋的人造卫星。自发射第一颗卫星以来的半个世纪时间，围绕地球旋转的人造卫星数量已达13000余个，包括废弃卫星和新上天的卫星。
资料搜集者Matt Amato表示，地球外太空环境像个大型垃圾场，尽管人造卫星体积不算庞大，但对人类的居住环境也是个潜在威胁，并对此表示担忧。
这款实时地标的数据主要来自政府权威部门，每30秒更新一次。地标中的每颗人造卫星都有名称，单击卫星小图标，您会看到更多信息，包括外观细节、应用领域、服务年限等。

This KML network link visualizes all earth orbiting objects tracked by the United States Strategic Command
(USSTRATCOM) using the satellite database processed by Analytical Graphics, Inc. using the
Dynamic Geometry Library. All satellites are tracked in real-time
and updated every 30 seconds.

USSTRATCOM has been tracking space objects since 1957 when the Soviets opened the space age with the launch of Sputnik I.
Since then, they have recorded more than 26,000 space objects orbiting Earth. There are currently more than 12,000 man-made
orbiting objects, the rest have re-entered Earth's turbulent atmosphere and disintegrated, or survived re-entry and impacted
the Earth. The space objects now orbiting Earth range from satellites weighing several tons to pieces of spent rocket bodies
weighing under 10 pounds. About 3,000 space objects are operational satellites, the rest are space debris, retired satellites
and rocket bodies left over from launches.

Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) develops commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) analysis software for land, sea, air and space that
is relied upon by the national security and space communities. With more than 32,000 worldwide installations, the main applications
of AGI technologies focus on battlespace management, geospatial intelligence, space systems and national defense programs. In addition
to the STK product suite, AGI produces the desktop software applications Navigation Tool Kit and Orbit Determination Tool Kit; interactive
visualization AGI Viewer software; and the embedded technology development tool 4DX. For more information about AGI or its commercially
available software technologies, e-mail info@agi.com or explore www.agi.com.

资料来源：godeyes.cn