Two-line element set

A two-line element set (TLE, or more rarely 2LE) or three-line element set (3LE) is a data format encoding a list of orbital elements of an Earth-orbiting object for a given point in time, the epoch. Using a suitable prediction formula, the state (position and velocity) at any point in the past or future can be estimated to some accuracy. The TLE data representation is specific to the simplified perturbations models (SGP, SGP4, SDP4, SGP8 and SDP8), so any algorithm using a TLE as a data source must implement one of the SGP models to correctly compute the state at a time of interest. TLEs can describe the trajectories only of Earth-orbiting objects. TLEs are widely used as input for projecting the future orbital tracks of space debris for purposes of characterizing "future debris events to support risk analysis, close approach analysis, collision avoidance maneuvering" and forensic analysis.^[1][2]

The format was originally intended for punched cards, encoding a set of elements on two standard 80-column cards. This format was eventually replaced by text files as punch card systems became obsolete, with each set of elements written to two 69-column ASCII lines preceded by a title line. The United States Space Force tracks all detectable objects in Earth orbit, creating a corresponding TLE for each object, and makes publicly available TLEs for many of the space objects on the websites Space Track and Celestrak,^[3][4] holding back or obfuscating data on many military or classified objects. The TLE format is a de facto standard for distribution of an Earth-orbiting object's orbital elements.

A TLE set may include a title line preceding the element data, so each listing may take up three lines in the file, in which case the TLE is referred to as a three-line element set (3LE), instead of a two-line element set (2LE). The title is not required, as each data line includes a unique object identifier code.