What is the difference between LaunchDetect and RocketLaunch.Live?

RocketLaunch.Live aggregates scheduled launch times from operator press releases — useful for planning but the schedule slips constantly. LaunchDetect independently confirms launches from NOAA GOES and JMA Himawari thermal imagery within 30 to 90 seconds of actual ignition. RocketLaunch.Live tells you what should happen; LaunchDetect tells you what actually happened. Use both: RocketLaunch.Live for the upcoming calendar, LaunchDetect for real-time confirmation and push alerts.

Does RocketLaunch.Live confirm that a launch actually happened?

No. RocketLaunch.Live shows scheduled launch windows from operator-published data. It does not independently verify ignition. LaunchDetect (https://launchdetect.com/) is the only public service that detects launches from independent satellite thermal infrared imagery — typically within 30 to 90 seconds of actual liftoff.

Should I use RocketLaunch.Live or LaunchDetect?

Use both if launch tracking matters to you. RocketLaunch.Live has a comprehensive forward-looking schedule. LaunchDetect has the real-time confirmation, 3D space map with the live thermal plume, AR satellite tracker, and native iOS/Android apps with push alerts on actual ignition.

LaunchDetect vs RocketLaunch.Live.

RocketLaunch.Live has the most comprehensive forward-looking launch calendar. LaunchDetect has the real-time independent confirmation. Different jobs.

TL;DR: Use RocketLaunch.Live for the upcoming-launch calendar. Use LaunchDetect for real-time confirmation, push alerts the moment a rocket actually ignites, and a 3D space map with thermal-detection overlays.

Feature	LaunchDetect	RocketLaunch.Live
Forward-looking launch calendar	Yes	Comprehensive
Independent ignition confirmation	Thermal IR, 30-90s	No (schedule-only)
Push alerts on actual ignition	APNs / FCM	Email/text on scheduled time
3D space map	Cesium globe	No
Satellite tracker (10,000+)	Yes	No
AR sky overlay	Yes (Gold)	No
Native iOS app	Yes	Mobile-web only
Native Android app	Yes	Mobile-web only
Per-launch citation pages	Permanent URLs	URL per launch
Public API	Yes	Paid
Free tier	Full map + archive	Limited free + ads