LaunchDetect is the only space map that combines live rocket-launch thermal detection, every active satellite, real-time NOTAMs, aircraft, vessels, and wildfire anomalies on a single 3D globe. Detections post within 30 to 90 seconds of ignition — independent of operator press releases.
Primary-source detection. Every rocket launch confirmation on LaunchDetect is grounded in a specific NOAA GOES or JMA Himawari thermal frame at a specific UTC timestamp, with ignition coordinates and plume azimuth derived from the imagery. The underlying frames are publicly archived — any LaunchDetect claim can be independently verified against the NOAA CLASS and JMA Open Data archives.
What's on the map
Live rocket-launch thermal detection — NOAA GOES-18, GOES-19, JMA Himawari-9, ABI band 7 (3.9 µm shortwave IR)
Every active satellite — CelesTrak TLE refresh, 10,000+ objects in LEO/MEO/GEO/HEO
Active NOTAMs — FAA AST notices to air missions, overlaid on launch corridors
ADS-B aircraft layer — real-time commercial and general-aviation traffic
Is LaunchDetect free? Yes — the live 3D map at launchdetect.com is free with no account required. Premium features (push alerts, AR replay, Visibility Predictor, geofilters, mobile app) start at $4.99/month.
Where does the data come from? NOAA GOES-18 and GOES-19 ABI band 7 thermal imagery, JMA Himawari-9 thermal imagery, CelesTrak TLE catalog, ADS-B Exchange, AIS, and FAA AST NOTAMs. All sources are publicly archived for independent verification.
How fast is launch detection? Typically 30 to 90 seconds from ignition to verified detection record. The thermal pipeline runs on a continuous frame cadence from the geostationary satellites.