Satellite Passes vs TLE
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
Satellite Passes vs TLE: common questions
Which is more reliable, Satellite Passes or TLE?
On our scheduled checks, Satellite Passes leads on measured uptime — Satellite Passes at 99.02% versus TLE at 88.2% 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, Satellite Passes or TLE?
Satellite Passes has the lower median latency in our checks — Satellite Passes responds in 976 ms versus TLE at 1090 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 Satellite Passes and TLE need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — Satellite Passes is callable with no signup, and TLE is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call Satellite Passes and TLE from the browser?
Yes — both Satellite Passes and TLE send CORS headers over HTTPS, so front-end code can fetch either directly with no backend proxy. That makes them easy to swap in a client-side app while you compare responses.
Are Satellite Passes and TLE free for commercial use?
Satellite Passes has unclear commercial terms, and TLE 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.