The program is made available to schools through the NASA Spacelink BBS and the NASA Teacher Resource Centers. The program has special features implemented at the request of NASA astronauts and others for use during a NASA Space Shuttle mission. Accurate TDRS coverage, including times for acquisition and loss of signal, is calculated for satellites which use that satellite network for communications. The maps show most of the Earth's land boundaries and continental areas. Major oceans, seas, and rivers are easily recognizable.
Considerable detail is shown at higher zoom factors.
Automatic map generation ensures that the satellite is always displayed. The display shows the selected satellite as a small symbol or icon, the projected orbital ground track for the next three hours and the past one and a half hours, and many other features including circles of visibility, TDRS coverage, and the solar terminator. Additional higher detail Map Database Files are available with registration. A selection of map modes and display features allow users to configure the program to meet their requirements. While other systems may give acceptable performance, this minimum configuration assures that most features will execute as described and in real time.