**Celestrak** is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing freely accessible space data and resources, particularly orbital tracking information, to the global space community. Founded by satellite tracking expert T.S. Kelso, the organization traces its origins to the Celestial RCP/M BBS system established in 1985 for sharing satellite tracking data[^1^][^2^].

### History
Celestrak emerged from early computerized satellite tracking efforts and became a critical distributor of Two-Line Element (TLE) data sets for orbital prediction. During the 2000s, it faced operational changes due to legislative shifts, including the 2003 U.S. law (Public Law 108-136) that mandated Air Force Space Command to provide space surveillance data to non-government entities[^3^][^4^]. Despite these challenges, Celestrak maintained its role as a primary data source by adapting to evolving policies.

### Mission and Operations
The organization focuses on:
- **Data accessibility**: Supplying real-time and historical orbital data, including TLEs and conjunction assessment resources.
- **Education**: Offering documentation and tools for space situational awareness.
- **Advocacy**: Promoting open data standards in space traffic management.

Celestrak transitioned to nonprofit status in April 2021, solidifying its commitment to unrestricted data access while addressing modern cybersecurity requirements and sustainable data distribution practices[^5^].

### Legacy
Celestrak remains foundational for satellite operators, researchers, and amateur trackers, having pioneered standardized orbital data dissemination methods. Its evolution reflects broader shifts toward collaborative space domain awareness in the 21st century.