Roadmap & History
Twenty-five years of satellite tracking.
A preserved timeline of Gpredict’s milestones, from the first Predict client in 2001 to the current release.
Project history
From a hobby project to a real app
The original roadmap stopped being maintained and now points to NEWS. This chronology preserves its milestones and folds in later release history without turning old plans into current commitments.
- v0.1
The first Predict client
A table displayed 24 satellites and could be sorted by any column.
- v0.2
Standalone tracking
Gpredict stopped depending on a Predict server, lifted the original 24-satellite limit, and added next-pass timing.
- v0.3
Maps and pass plots
The application gained a world map, footprints, multi-pass prediction, and detailed polar plots.
- v0.4
A real satellite database
TLE updates, tree-based satellite selection, and runtime observer-location switching arrived.
- v0.5
Sharper prediction controls
Minimum-elevation filters, variable map sizes, and broader Unix and macOS portability improved planning.
- v0.6
SGP4/SDP4 and modular views
The GTK 2 port introduced NORAD SGP4/SDP4 propagation, polar and single-satellite views, and freely combined layouts.
- v0.7–0.9
Updates, plots, and time control
Automatic orbital-element updates, pass Az/El plots, Sky at a Glance, simulated time, and a sustained round of fixes matured the desktop workflow.
- v1.0
Station hardware control
Radio and antenna rotator control connected predictions to an operating station.
- v1.1–1.3
Layout and event workflow
A stronger satellite selector, layout manager, event view, tooltips, pass pop-ups, and many fixes refined day-to-day use.
- v2.0
GTK 3 and a new identity
A new logo accompanied the initial GTK 3 port, multiple TLE sources, SatNOGS transponder import, autotracking, and more responsive radio and rotator controllers.
- v2.2
GTK 3 migration completed
Monitor mode for the antenna controller and a completed GTK 3 migration joined continuing stability and platform work.
- v2.4
Visibility and controller reliability
Map and polar visibility controls, solar-terminator display, controller fixes, memory fixes, operational status, and GooCanvas 3 support shipped together.
- v2.5–2.5.1
Native drawing and faster updates
Native GTK 3/Cairo drawing, macOS backend detection, Windows build work, safer transponder updates, faster network TLE refreshes, and controller scroll fixes landed.
- v2.6
Current release
Satellite filtering reached radio and rotator controllers, bundled satellite data was refreshed, and polar-view labels and event information were corrected.