Do I need an API key to use the QGIS plugin?

Yes. The plugin authenticates with a PassPrediction API key, sent as an Authorization: Bearer header. It computes nothing locally — every result comes from the developer API — so a key and an internet connection are required.

How do I get an API key?

Keys are tied to your PassPrediction account and carry the same credits and rights as the web app. Key management is self-serve: sign in and open Account → Developer API, then Generate (or Rotate) your key. The full key is shown once at that moment — copy it immediately. Paste it into the plugin's API key field once; it is remembered in your QGIS settings.

Which API does the plugin call?

The PassPrediction developer API at https://passprediction.com/api/v1/external/. On connect it reads the public capabilities manifest (tools, live pricing, endpoints) and drives whatever the server advertises, so the plugin stays in sync with the web app without an update.

Which QGIS version does the plugin require?

QGIS 3.22 or newer. The plugin uses only the Python standard library, so there are no pip dependencies to install.

Does running the plugin cost credits?

Runs spend the same API credits at the same live pricing as the web app. A wallet-balance strip and a pre-run cost estimate show the price before a run commits.

Can I use PassPrediction layers without the plugin?

Yes. PassPrediction also serves OGC WMS 1.3.0 and WMTS 1.0.0 endpoints you can add as raster layers in QGIS or any OGC client.

PassPrediction for QGIS

Run PassPrediction directly inside QGIS: pass search, image-delivery latency, clear-sky weather, constellation comparison and coverage analysis over your current map extent, with geometry results added as native vector layers. The plugin connects to your account with an API key and spends the same API credits, at the same live pricing, as the web app.

Download the plugin (ZIP) · v0.2.18experimental · QGIS 3.22+

What it does for EO planning

Reads the live capability manifest so the available tools, credit costs and endpoints always match the web app — no plugin update when a tool or price changes.
Live wallet-balance strip and a pre-run cost estimate, so a run is priced before it commits.
Drives pass search, latency, clear-sky weather, constellation comparison and coverage analysis over the current QGIS map extent; geometry results (passes, analysis-grid cells, live positions) return as GeoJSON vector layers you can style, join and export like any other QGIS layer.
Pure Python standard library (urllib / json), no pip dependencies — QGIS-safe and client-side only.

Install in QGIS

1Download the plugin. Download the plugin ZIP from the button on this page.
2Install from ZIP. In QGIS open Plugins → Manage and Install Plugins → Install from ZIP, then select the downloaded file.
3Enable experimental plugins. If it does not appear, enable Settings → Show experimental plugins, then turn on PassPrediction under Installed.
4Connect to the API. Click the PassPrediction toolbar icon to open the panel, leave the server as https://passprediction.com, paste your API key, and click Connect. The plugin reads your capability manifest, fills the tool list and shows your wallet balance; the key is remembered for next time. Generate your key yourself under Account → Developer API; see 'Connect to the API' below.
5Run a search. Draw or zoom to your area of interest, pick a tool, check the pre-run cost estimate, and run; geometry results are added as a native GeoJSON vector layer.

Connect to the API

The plugin is a thin client of the PassPrediction developer API: every result — pass search, tasking, latency, clear-sky weather, constellation comparison and coverage analysis — is computed server-side and returned over HTTPS as GeoJSON. It performs no orbital computation locally, so a working connection is required. You need two things:

1Server URL. Leave the default https://passprediction.com. The plugin calls the developer endpoints under /api/v1/external/ on that host.
2API key. A key tied to your account, carrying the same credits and rights as the web app. Key management is self-serve: sign in and open Account → Developer API, then Generate or Rotate your key — the full key is shown once, so copy it right away. Treat it like a password: the plugin sends it as an Authorization: Bearer header and stores it locally in your QGIS settings, never in a project file.
3Connect. Open the PassPrediction panel from the toolbar icon, enter the server and key, and click Connect. The plugin fetches your capability manifest (the only unauthenticated call) — so the tool list, live pricing and endpoints always match the web app — and displays your wallet balance. The key is remembered for next time.

Once connected, each tool shows a pre-run cost estimate and your current balance before a run commits, so nothing is charged without a preview. Results are model outputs derived from public orbital data (TLE) and nominal sensor parameters — estimates for planning, not a satellite operator’s actual capacity or commitment. Accuracy depends on TLE currency: pass geometry is representative, but exact pass dates and times can drift for satellites with stale element sets or that are recently launched or actively manoeuvring — verify timing against the operator before any firm tasking.

Advanced: OGC map services

You can also add PassPrediction as raster layers in QGIS (or any OGC client) via the standards-based endpoints — no plugin required:

WMS 1.3.0 — https://passprediction.com/api/v1/ogc/wms/
WMTS 1.0.0 — https://passprediction.com/api/v1/ogc/wmts/

Frequently asked

Do I need an API key to use the QGIS plugin?: Yes. The plugin authenticates with a PassPrediction API key, sent as an Authorization: Bearer header. It computes nothing locally — every result comes from the developer API — so a key and an internet connection are required.
How do I get an API key?: Keys are tied to your PassPrediction account and carry the same credits and rights as the web app. Key management is self-serve: sign in and open Account → Developer API, then Generate (or Rotate) your key. The full key is shown once at that moment — copy it immediately. Paste it into the plugin's API key field once; it is remembered in your QGIS settings.
Which API does the plugin call?: The PassPrediction developer API at https://passprediction.com/api/v1/external/. On connect it reads the public capabilities manifest (tools, live pricing, endpoints) and drives whatever the server advertises, so the plugin stays in sync with the web app without an update.
Which QGIS version does the plugin require?: QGIS 3.22 or newer. The plugin uses only the Python standard library, so there are no pip dependencies to install.
Does running the plugin cost credits?: Runs spend the same API credits at the same live pricing as the web app. A wallet-balance strip and a pre-run cost estimate show the price before a run commits.
Can I use PassPrediction layers without the plugin?: Yes. PassPrediction also serves OGC WMS 1.3.0 and WMTS 1.0.0 endpoints you can add as raster layers in QGIS or any OGC client.