Discover and Query Space Data (Data Suite)
Use the Discover tab in the Slingshot Aerospace Data Suite to explore spacecraft, launch vehicles, rocket bodies, and related space objects. Discover supports multiple query methods and lets you save and reuse searches for ongoing analysis.
What you’ll learn
How to navigate the Discover tab
How to search using keywords, natural language, and the query builder
How to view, filter, and save results
Who this is for
Analysts
Space domain awareness professionals
Researchers working with orbital and contextual space data
Accessing the Discover Tab
Open the Data Suite from the main navigation.
Select the Discover tab.
Discover Page Overview
The Discover page is organized into three main areas:
Data category selector
Query tools
Results table
Selecting a Data Category
Use the dropdown at the top of the page to choose the type of data you want to explore.
Available categories include:
Spacecraft
Rocket Bodies
Launch Vehicles
Buses
Organizations
Changing the category updates the available fields and filters.
Search Methods Overview
The Discover tab supports four ways to query data:
Keyword Search
Natural Language
Query Builder
Saved Queries
You can switch between these methods at any time.
Keyword Search
Use Keyword Search to quickly find objects by name or identifier.
How to use Keyword Search
Select Keyword Search.
Enter a term such as:
Spacecraft name
NORAD ID
COSPAR ID
Results will update automatically.
Natural Language Search
Use Natural Language to search using plain English.
How to use Natural Language Search
Select Natural Language.
Enter a query such as:
“Active Chinese satellites”
“All Starlink spacecraft”
Click Analyze.
The system converts your request into a structured query and returns matching
Using the Query Builder
The Query Builder lets you create structured, rule-based queries.
How to build a query
Select Query Builder.
Choose a field (for example, Country).
Select a condition (such as contains or equals).
Enter a value.
Click Run Query.
Adding multiple conditions
Click Add Condition to layer filters.
Combine conditions to refine results.
Viewing Results
Results appear in a table below the query tools.
Each row includes information such as:
Object name
NORAD/COSPAR ID
Operator
Country
Mission type
Orbit
BUS
Status
Launch date
Filtering and Managing Results
From the results table, you can:
Apply additional filters
Select one or more objects to create a list
Download available data
Submit tracking requests
Saving Queries
Save a query to reuse it later without rebuilding filters.
How to save a query
Run a query using any method.
Click Save Query.
Enter a Query Name and Save.
Using Saved Queries
Open the Saved Queries tab to view all saved searches.
Each saved query includes:
Query name
Data category
Description
Date saved
Running a saved query
Open Saved Queries.
Click Run on the desired query.
Edit or delete a saved query
Open Saved Queries.
Click 3 dots on the desired query.
Click Edit Query to edit or Remove Query to delete.
Common Issues & Tips
Not seeing expected results
Confirm the correct data category is selected
Broaden search terms
Remove or simplify filters
Natural language results seem off
Rephrase the query
Use Query Builder for more control
Save Query is disabled
A query must be run before it can be saved
Manage Your Data (Data Suite)
Use the Manage tab in the Slingshot Aerospace Data Suite to organize saved lists, download exported data, and track active and completed tracking requests.
The Manage tab is where discovery turns into actionable workflows.
What you’ll learn
How to access and manage saved lists
How to download exported data jobs
How to track, update, and review tracking requests
Who this is for
Analysts managing recurring datasets
Operators tracking spacecraft or debris
Users downloading and reviewing data products
Accessing the Manage Tab
Open the Data Suite from the main navigation.
Select the Manage tab.
Manage Tab Overview
The Manage tab is divided into three sections:
Lists
Download Jobs
Tracking Requests
Use the tabs at the top of the page to switch between each section.
Managing Lists
The Lists section lets you view and organize saved object lists created from Discover or uploaded manually.
What you’ll see
List name
Creation date
Number of items
Privacy level (Private or Organization)
📸 Screenshot: Lists panel showing multiple saved lists
Viewing a List
Select a list from the left panel.
The list details appear on the right, including:
Object name
NORAD ID
Status
Object type
📸 Screenshot: Selected list with object table visible
List Actions
From the list details view, you can:
View in Catalog to explore objects in Discover
Manage list visibility (Private or Organization)
Access additional options from the overflow menu
📸 Screenshot: List detail header showing View in Catalog and overflow menu
Download Jobs
The Download Jobs section shows the status of data exports generated from lists or queries.
What you’ll see
Each download job displays:
Job name
Export date
File format
Number of items
Job status
📸 Screenshot: Download Jobs tab with multiple export jobs listed
Viewing Download Details
Select a download job.
Review job details, including:
File format
Total items
File size
Expiration date
📸 Screenshot: Download job details panel with file metadata
Downloading Data
When a job is ready:
Click Download ZIP.
The ZIP file includes:
Data file (CSV or JSON)
Metadata
README documentation
📸 Screenshot: Download job marked Ready with Download ZIP button
Tracking Requests
The Tracking Requests section lets you monitor active, delivered, and archived tracking requests.
Tracking Request Tabs
Active Requests
Data Delivered
Archived
📸 Screenshot: Tracking Requests tab with status filters visible
Viewing an Active Tracking Request
Active requests show:
Request name
Request ID
Tracking type
Submission date
Current processing status
📸 Screenshot: Active tracking request with progress timeline
Tracking Progress
Each request includes a visual timeline showing:
Submitted
In Review
Tasking
Processing
Delivered
This helps you understand where the request is in the workflow.
📸 Screenshot: Tracking request progress timeline highlighted
Messages & Updates
Use the Messages & Updates section to:
Communicate with Slingshot Support
Receive analyst updates
View system status messages
📸 Screenshot: Messages & Updates section with analyst and system messages
Updating a Tracking Request
Some tracking requests can be updated while in progress.
Click Update Tasking Request.
Modify details such as:
Request name
Date range
NORAD IDs
Data products
Priority level
Submit the update for review.
Updates require approval from the operations team.
📸 Screenshot: Update Tasking Request modal with editable fields
Data Delivered
The Data Delivered tab shows completed requests with downloadable data packages.
What you’ll see
One-time or recurring requests
Delivery dates
Available data packages
📸 Screenshot: Data Delivered tab with completed orders listed
Downloading Delivered Data
Select a delivered request.
Click Download Data Package.
Files may include CSV and JSON formats.
📸 Screenshot: Delivered request with Download Data Package button
Archived Requests
The Archived tab displays completed or closed tracking requests.
📸 Screenshot: Archived tab showing no requests or archived entries
Common Issues & Tips
I don’t see my list
Check whether the list is Private or Organization-scoped
Confirm you’re in the Lists tab
My download isn’t ready
Large exports may take additional processing time
Check job status before retrying
I can’t update a tracking request
Some requests may be locked depending on status
Updates require operations approval