ISS Orbital Sidereal Astrophotography Simulator

ORBITAL SPEED: 17,500 mph

PITCH ROTATION RATE: 3.91 °/min

CAMERA DRIVE STATE: OFF (Nadir Lock)

NET ANGULAR DRIFT: 3.91 °/min

CALC STAR TRAIL: 117 px / 30s

Virtual Sensor Integration EXPOSING (30s)

Custom Sidereal Tracking Drive

Sidereal Drive Compensation

Counteract ISS pitch rotation

Drive Rate Calibration 3.91 °/min

Optics & Exposure Setup

Shutter Duration (Exposure) 30 s

Focal Length (Arri Zeiss) 15 mm

Aperture f/1.8

Standard ISS long exposures turn background stars into distinct arced trails because the space station continuously pitches downward (~3.91°/min) to maintain a constant nadir orientation toward Earth.

Simulated Astrophoto Export