Sputnik!

This used to be one of my favorite ISS spotting apps. However, it now refuses to update the satellite data on iPads and iPhones alike, from iOS 12-16 and iPad OS 15-16. Going to Settings and tapping on Update does NOTHING. It continues to report Outdated. And, yes, WiFi is on and working. The Sputnik! app is the latest version. On an iPad 9, iOS 16.5.1(c), it alerts me: “Warning Satellite data has never been downloaded”, but does not load it automatically as it is supposed to — and used to. The Update button doesn't work there, either. On an iPhone SE, iOS 15.7.7, when I select any of the Satellite Sightings choices, it reports: “ERROR. Null check operator used on a null value”.

This app needs more reference information. Are satellites visible when they ENTER Earth’s shadow? Or when they LEAVE Earth’s shadow? Why would I want to look for a satellite that rises at 10° and then enters the shadow in a few seconds? Following this app faithfully for two years, I have been able to see less than half of what is shown on the schedule. This “shadow” mystery might be the reason. Also, the feature where you need to turn your device sideways or landscape to see the satellite path or hear a beeping countdown needs to be explained somewhere. Finally, the feature to show device orientation does not seem to correspond to the actual elevation. In the settings, it says to adjust the orientation by 90° if you are recording video, but not why, or what that means.

I've use this app to track and I radium player out of specific time while camping, took a whole group of friends down to the beach and do exactly the trajectory and direction to look at and everyone was amazed. I really appreciate the hard work of the app developer my only feedback would be optional push notifications for significant, impressive, magnitude 7+ events near me, preferably within a time window i.e. 4-10pm. Thanks!