Introduction: Satvis.Space, the powerful web application for satellite orbit visualization and pass prediction, has undergone a series of optimizations in a recent fork. This enhanced version not only improves the application’s performance but also significantly reduces the Docker build time, making it even more efficient and user-friendly.
Features: The forked version of Satvis.Space retains all the impressive features of the original application. It accurately calculates satellite positions and orbits using TLE data, allows users to select their groundstation through geolocation or map interaction, and provides local browser notifications for upcoming satellite passes. The serverless architecture and offline functionality as a Progressive Web App (PWA) remain intact, ensuring seamless access to satellite data in any environment.
Optimized Docker Build: One of the most notable improvements in this fork is the optimization of the Docker build process. By leveraging a multi-stage build approach and carefully selecting the appropriate base images, the build time has been reduced from approximately 900 seconds to an impressive 150 seconds on an Oracle Ampere instance.
The optimized Dockerfile starts with the official Node.js 18 image for installing dependencies. It then switches to the Oven Bun image, a lightweight and fast JavaScript runtime, for building the application. The installed dependencies are copied from the previous stage, ensuring a clean and efficient build process.
To further optimize the build, the TLE data is updated during the build process itself using the bun run update-tle command. This eliminates the need for a separate step and reduces the overall build time.
Finally, the built application files are copied to the Nginx image for serving the application. Nginx, known for its high performance and stability, ensures efficient delivery of the Satvis.Space application to users’ browsers.
Performance Optimization: In addition to the Docker build optimization, the forked version of Satvis.Space focuses on enhancing the application’s performance. Efforts have been made to optimize the code and improve the overall speed and responsiveness of the application across various browsers.
These performance optimizations may include techniques such as code minification, efficient asset loading, and browser-specific optimizations. The goal is to provide users with a smooth and seamless experience while interacting with the satellite visualization and pass prediction features, regardless of their browser choice.
Automatic TLE Updates: To ensure the accuracy of satellite position calculations and pass predictions, the forked version of Satvis.Space includes an automated process for updating the TLE data. The TLE data is fetched and updated during the Docker build process itself, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
This automated update process guarantees that users always have access to the most recent satellite data, enhancing the reliability and precision of the orbit visualizations and pass predictions.
Conclusion: The optimized fork of Satvis.Space takes the already impressive satellite orbit visualization and pass prediction application to new heights. With significant improvements in the Docker build process, the build time has been reduced from ~900 seconds to a mere ~150 seconds on an Oracle Ampere instance. This optimization streamlines the deployment process and makes it more efficient.
Moreover, the performance optimizations ensure a smooth and responsive user experience across different browsers, making the application accessible to a wider audience. The automated TLE data updates during the build process further enhance the accuracy and reliability of the satellite information.
Whether you’re a satellite enthusiast, researcher, or professional, this optimized version of Satvis.Space is a valuable tool that combines powerful features with improved performance and efficient deployment capabilities. Its user-friendly interface, accurate calculations, and seamless user experience make it an indispensable resource for anyone interested in exploring the fascinating world of satellites and their orbits.