Launch Library 2 vs Minor Planet Center
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Launch Library 2 vs Minor Planet Center: common questions
Which is more reliable, Launch Library 2 or Minor Planet Center?
On our scheduled checks, Minor Planet Center leads on measured uptime — Launch Library 2 at 3.9% versus Minor Planet Center at 99.02% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Which is faster, Launch Library 2 or Minor Planet Center?
Minor Planet Center has the lower median latency in our checks — Launch Library 2 responds in 546 ms versus Minor Planet Center at 217 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.
Do Launch Library 2 and Minor Planet Center need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Launch Library 2 is callable with no signup, and Minor Planet Center is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Launch Library 2 and Minor Planet Center from the browser?
Only Launch Library 2 is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. Minor Planet Center needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are Launch Library 2 and Minor Planet Center free for commercial use?
Launch Library 2 has unclear commercial terms, and Minor Planet Center has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.