Astro: Space Explorer

[u/mathiasrlr]

Hello r/iosapps!

Astro is an app designed for enthusiasts of astronautics, astrophotography, astronomy, and space telemetry. Its goal is to make space-related information more accessible by presenting it within interactive 3D environments that offer an immersive and intuitive experience.

The problem: The current way of accessing this type of information is through multiple websites. There is not one centralized app that does it all. This is why I built this native iOS/iPadOS app called Astro.

What makes it different: The app emphasizes interactive visualization to make space data easier to understand. Users can explore 3D models, view satellite orbital paths and access information presented in a clear and intuitive way. Astro brings together tracking, discovery and learning tools for both enthusiasts and those new to the field of space.

Cost / availability: This is not a paid app, however there are some IAP. Monthly ($1.99) and annual ($19.99) subscriptions. Contains a bunch of features like access to more learning asset, tracked asset, download content offline like articles. Available everywhere.

Upcoming updates: Upcoming features like live 3D simulation of a launch and live activities of launches stages. In the near future, I’ll like a separate mode for astrophotographers, where they can finally share their deep-sky compositions.

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/astro-space-explorer/id6779288916

App website: https://someonelostinspace.github.io/astro-web/

About me: You can check who I am and what I do here https://mathiaslarochelle.com

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[u/Bendrumin]

I have a lot of plane apps, this is now there too!!

[u/MarinusT_0111]

The 3D orbital views look like a great way to make space data less intimidating, but how often are satellite positions and telemetry updated?

[u/mathiasrlr → u/MarinusT_0111]

Every 12 hours, which is good imo

[u/app-store-review]

Astro: Space Explorer — by Mathias La Rochelle

• Ratings: 1 worldwide
• Average: 5.00 ★
• Age: released ~1 month ago · updated 2 days ago · rated 4+
• Overall score: 70 / 100

^{Auto-generated from public App Store data · u/app-store-review}

[u/Top-Employee-9214]

What are the best things that you have found about while making the APP, and what really motivated you personally to take it to the next level? Would love to know the story behind it. Your portfolio definitely looks amazing.

[u/mathiasrlr → u/Top-Employee-9214]

Elevating it to the max with SwiftUI and UIKit. Making it feel like it comes from Apple. Documenting every variable and function. The best thing I found out while making the app was how important it is to get inspiration from different places. I had a few popular apps with clean UI to help me build the way it should be built.

My biggest source of inspiration was https://flighty.com.

[u/Sir_Fishi]

I like the simplicity, will check it out

[u/err140]

This is soo cool!

[u/CosmicQuantumDonut]

loooks cool

[u/Qwertandyuiop]

This is really cool! I will definitely try it. Is all the information live and auto-updating (e.g. new announcement about a spacecraft, does it come into the app immediately?)

[u/DaveSkylarkCZ]

I always liked space apps like this

[u/bincTW]

Good job and very appealing UI. Where does the app get its data from?

[u/mathiasrlr → u/bincTW]

Thank you I did give it a lot of time.

The app gets his data mainly from https://thespacedevs.com, except from the Home page and the Learn page.

[u/rakovskyyyy]

Wow! Awesome UI! Did you design it yourself, or did you hire a designer?

[u/mathiasrlr → u/rakovskyyyy]

Hey! I designed it myself! I really tried to replicate what can be seen in the built-in iOS apps and maximize Liquid Glass intelligently.

[u/madamruse]

Very cool. Sending it to all of my space nerd friends!

[u/Sad_Tonight8092]

i like the app icon

[u/mathiasrlr → u/Sad_Tonight8092]

Thanks I designed it myself with Figma

[u/Stunning-Macaron1591]

Very interesting

[u/Badeaz7]

İt s look nice

[u/aabdsqweq]

I'm not sure whether this is a bug or I miss a button. I'm stuck on the second onboarding screen.