ISS Detector vs Solar System Scope

ISS Detector helps users find visible International Space Station passes and predict satellite passes for their location. For each upcoming ISS pass, it gives the local start time, direction, highest altitude, and duration, and can notify users minutes before the pass begins. It checks the local forecast and indicates when clouds may prevent a sighting. Premium features add tracking for Starlink, Hubble, rocket bodies, planets, comets, and amateur radio satellites; amateur radio tracking includes transmitter information and Doppler shift calculations. Users can share sightings on social media. ISS Detector says it combines information from NASA, Heavens-Above, the Minor Planet Center, and yr.no weather. It is listed for Android, iOS, macOS, and web. The free plan includes ads and in-app purchases; ISS Detector Pro costs $17.99, paid once and includes all extensions with no ads. Its privacy policy says location calculations happen on-device and precise location is not stored on the maker’s servers. Google Play says data can’t be deleted.

Solar System Scope models the Solar System, night sky and outer space, showing object positions alongside related facts. Its 3D encyclopedia covers planets, dwarf planets and major moons with visualizations. The night-sky view can show stars and constellations from a chosen location on Earth and simulate skies from past or future times; the mobile version also lets users point a device toward the sky to find celestial objects. The maker says its calculations use NASA-published orbital parameters, and its planet and moon maps use NASA elevation and imagery data, with colors tuned against spacecraft and Hubble imagery. The Android encyclopedia is available in 19 languages. Solar System Scope runs on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows. The online version is free, as are mobile apps with optional in-app purchases. The Windows and Mac desktop app costs $9.80, paid once and includes fullscreen and offline modes. The maker also provides embed code for websites and textures for image viewing or 3D rendering.