How do I simulate a satellite footprint?

Open this page and use the live Map Projection tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a satellite footprint from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Map Projection

Map Projection for a satellite footprint

Simulate a satellite footprint live in your browser. This runs the real Map Projection solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Map Projection DistortionLive

why Greenland looks huge

Controls

Presets

Latitude

You cannot flatten a sphere without distortion. The Mercator projection preserves angles for navigation but inflates area toward the poles by 1/cos²(latitude) — so Greenland appears as big as Africa though it is 14 times smaller. The Tissot circles are all the same true size on the globe; watch them balloon at high latitudes.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Area distortion4.0×

Length distortion2.00×

Latitude60°

Governing equation

x = λ, y = ln tan (\frac{π}{4} + \frac{ϕ}{2}), \frac{1}{c o s ^{2} ϕ} = 4.0 \times (ϕ = 6 0^{\circ})

Reading this result: At 60° each Tissot circle covers about 4.0× its true area, because Mercator stretches by 1/cos²(latitude) as you move poleward.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Map Projection tool models a satellite footprint with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Map Projection

Map Projection for a GPS route Map Projection for a hiking trail Map Projection for a delivery zone Map Projection for a flight path Map Projection for a shipping lane Map Projection for a cell-tower map Map Projection for a flood zone Map Projection for a wildfire perimeter

Other ways to simulate a satellite footprint

Great-Circle Distance for a satellite footprint GPS Trilateration for a satellite footprint Viewshed for a satellite footprint Spatial Interpolation for a satellite footprint Dead Reckoning for a satellite footprint Rhumb Line for a satellite footprint

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a satellite footprint?: Open this page and use the live Map Projection tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a satellite footprint from your own measurements.