diff --git a/src/App.jsx b/src/App.jsx
index 6e23e5f3..07bd54f3 100644
--- a/src/App.jsx
+++ b/src/App.jsx
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ const App = () => {
 
   const propagation = usePropagation(config.location, dxLocation, config.propagation);
   const mySpots = useMySpots(config.callsign);
-  const satellites = useSatellites(config.location);
+  const satellites = useSatellites(config.location, config.satellite);
   const localWeather = useWeather(config.location, config.allUnits);
   const dxWeather = useWeather(dxLocation, config.allUnits);
   const localAlerts = useWeatherAlerts(config.location);
diff --git a/src/components/SettingsPanel.jsx b/src/components/SettingsPanel.jsx
index ef63adb3..d086974e 100644
--- a/src/components/SettingsPanel.jsx
+++ b/src/components/SettingsPanel.jsx
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ export const SettingsPanel = ({
   const [gridSquare, setGridSquare] = useState(config?.locator || '');
   const [lat, setLat] = useState(config?.location?.lat ?? 0);
   const [lon, setLon] = useState(config?.location?.lon ?? 0);
+  const [stationAlt, setStationAlt] = useState(config?.location?.stationAlt ?? 100);
+  const [minElev, setMinElev] = useState(config?.satellite?.minElev ?? 5.0);
   const [layout, setLayout] = useState(config?.layout || 'modern');
   const [mouseZoom, setMouseZoom] = useState(config?.mouseZoom || 50);
   const [timezone, setTimezone] = useState(config?.timezone || '');
@@ -179,6 +181,8 @@ export const SettingsPanel = ({
       setheaderSize(config.headerSize || 1.0);
       setLat(config.location?.lat ?? 0);
       setLon(config.location?.lon ?? 0);
+      setStationAlt(config.location?.stationAlt ?? 100);
+      setMinElev(config.satellite?.minElev ?? 5.0);
       setLayout(config.layout || 'modern');
       setMouseZoom(config.mouseZoom || 50);
       setTimezone(config.timezone || '');
@@ -419,7 +423,8 @@ export const SettingsPanel = ({
       headerSize: headerSize,
       swapHeaderClocks,
       showMutualReception,
-      location: { lat: parseFloat(lat), lon: parseFloat(lon) },
+      location: { lat: parseFloat(lat) || 0, lon: parseFloat(lon) || 0, stationAlt: parseInt(stationAlt) || 100 },
+      satellite: { minElev: isNaN(parseFloat(minElev)) ? 5.0 : parseFloat(minElev) },
       theme,
       customTheme,
       layout,
@@ -3360,6 +3365,79 @@ export const SettingsPanel = ({
                             Footprints
                           </label>
                         </div>
+
+                        {/* station altitude and minimum elevation inputs */}
+                        <div
+                          style={{ display: 'grid', gridTemplateColumns: '1fr 1fr', gap: '12px', marginBottom: '12px' }}
+                        >
+                          <div>
+                            <label
+                              style={{
+                                display: 'block',
+                                marginBottom: '6px',
+                                color: 'var(--text-muted)',
+                                fontSize: '11px',
+                                textTransform: 'uppercase',
+                              }}
+                            >
+                              Station Altitude [m]
+                            </label>
+                            <input
+                              type="number"
+                              step="1"
+                              min="-500"
+                              max="9000"
+                              value={isNaN(stationAlt) ? '' : stationAlt}
+                              onChange={(e) =>
+                                setStationAlt(isNaN(e.target.valueAsNumber) ? 100 : e.target.valueAsNumber)
+                              }
+                              style={{
+                                width: '100%',
+                                padding: '10px',
+                                background: 'var(--bg-tertiary)',
+                                border: '1px solid var(--border-color)',
+                                borderRadius: '6px',
+                                color: 'var(--text-primary)',
+                                fontSize: '14px',
+                                fontFamily: 'JetBrains Mono, monospace',
+                                boxSizing: 'border-box',
+                              }}
+                            />
+                          </div>
+                          <div>
+                            <label
+                              style={{
+                                display: 'block',
+                                marginBottom: '6px',
+                                color: 'var(--text-muted)',
+                                fontSize: '11px',
+                                textTransform: 'uppercase',
+                              }}
+                            >
+                              Minimum Elevation [°]
+                            </label>
+                            <input
+                              type="number"
+                              step="0.1"
+                              min="-5.0"
+                              max="89.0"
+                              value={isNaN(minElev) ? '' : minElev}
+                              onChange={(e) => setMinElev(isNaN(e.target.valueAsNumber) ? 5.0 : e.target.valueAsNumber)}
+                              style={{
+                                width: '100%',
+                                padding: '10px',
+                                background: 'var(--bg-tertiary)',
+                                border: '1px solid var(--border-color)',
+                                borderRadius: '6px',
+                                color: 'var(--text-primary)',
+                                fontSize: '14px',
+                                fontFamily: 'JetBrains Mono, monospace',
+                                boxSizing: 'border-box',
+                              }}
+                            />
+                          </div>
+                        </div>
+
                         {/* Lead Time Slider WIP
 						<div style={{ marginTop: '8px' }}>
 						  <label style={{
diff --git a/src/hooks/useSatellites.js b/src/hooks/useSatellites.js
index 778bca7e..6753632f 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useSatellites.js
+++ b/src/hooks/useSatellites.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ function round(value, decimals) {
   return Math.round(value * factor) / factor;
 }
 
-export const useSatellites = (observerLocation) => {
+export const useSatellites = (observerLocation, satelliteConfig) => {
   const [data, setData] = useState([]);
   const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
   const [tleData, setTleData] = useState({});
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ export const useSatellites = (observerLocation) => {
       const observerGd = {
         longitude: satellite.degreesToRadians(observerLocation.lon),
         latitude: satellite.degreesToRadians(observerLocation.lat),
-        height: 0.1, // km above sea level
+        height: (observerLocation.stationAlt || 100) / 1000, // above sea level [km], stationAlt is [m]), defaults to 100m
       };
 
       Object.entries(tleData).forEach(([name, tle]) => {
@@ -82,10 +82,13 @@ export const useSatellites = (observerLocation) => {
           const elevation = satellite.radiansToDegrees(lookAngles.elevation);
           const rangeSat = lookAngles.rangeSat;
 
-          // Calculate range-rate and doppler factor, only if satellite is above horizon
+          const isVisible = elevation >= (satelliteConfig?.minElev || 5.0); // visible only if above minimum elevation
+
+          // Calculate range-rate and doppler factor, only if satellite is visible
           let dopplerFactor = 1;
           let rangeRate = 0;
-          if (elevation > 0) {
+
+          if (isVisible) {
             const observerEcf = satellite.geodeticToEcf(observerGd);
             const velocityEcf = satellite.eciToEcf(velocityEci, gmst);
             dopplerFactor = satellite.dopplerFactor(observerEcf, positionEcf, velocityEcf);
@@ -134,7 +137,7 @@ export const useSatellites = (observerLocation) => {
             range: round(rangeSat, 1),
             rangeRate: round(rangeRate, 3),
             dopplerFactor: round(dopplerFactor, 9),
-            isVisible: elevation > 0,
+            isVisible, // visible if above minimum elevation
             isPopular: tle.priority <= 2,
             track,
             footprintRadius: Math.round(footprintRadius),
diff --git a/src/plugins/layers/useSatelliteLayer.js b/src/plugins/layers/useSatelliteLayer.js
index 1df58a5a..4872ea16 100644
--- a/src/plugins/layers/useSatelliteLayer.js
+++ b/src/plugins/layers/useSatelliteLayer.js
@@ -53,9 +53,9 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
       const data = await response.json();
 
       const observerGd = {
-        latitude: satellite.degreesToRadians(config?.lat ?? 43.44),
-        longitude: satellite.degreesToRadians(config?.lon ?? -88.63),
-        height: (config?.alt || 260) / 1000,
+        latitude: satellite.degreesToRadians(config?.lat ?? 0.0),
+        longitude: satellite.degreesToRadians(config?.lon ?? 0.0),
+        height: (config?.stationAlt || 100) / 1000, // above sea level [km], stationAlt is [m], defaults to 100m
       };
 
       const satArray = Object.keys(data).map((name) => {
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
             az = lookAngles.azimuth * (180 / Math.PI);
             el = lookAngles.elevation * (180 / Math.PI);
             range = lookAngles.rangeSat;
-            isVisible = el > 0;
+            isVisible = el >= (config?.satellite?.minElev || 5.0); // visible only if above minimum elevation
           }
 
           const minutesToPredict = config?.leadTimeMins || 45;
@@ -128,14 +128,14 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
       Object.assign(win.style, {
         position: 'absolute',
         width: '260px',
-        backgroundColor: 'rgba(0, 15, 15, 0.95)',
-        color: '#00ffff',
+        backgroundColor: 'var(--bg-primary)',
+        color: 'rgba(0, 255, 255, 1)',
         borderRadius: '4px',
-        border: '1px solid #00ffff',
+        border: '1px solid rgba(0, 255, 255, 1)',
         zIndex: '1000',
         fontFamily: 'monospace',
         pointerEvents: 'auto',
-        boxShadow: '0 0 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.7)',
+        boxShadow: '0 0 15px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7)',
         cursor: 'default',
         overflow: 'hidden',
       });
@@ -190,14 +190,14 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
     const titleBar = `
       <div class="sat-data-window-title" style="display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;
                   cursor:grab; user-select:none;
-                  padding: 8px 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #004444; background: rgba(0,40,40,0.6);">
-        <span data-drag-handle="true" style="font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; font-size:13px; font-weight:700; color:#00b4ff; letter-spacing:0.05em;">
+                  padding: 8px 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border-color); background: var(--bg-tertiary);">
+        <span data-drag-handle="true" style="font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace; font-size:13px; font-weight:700; color: var(--accent-blue); letter-spacing:0.05em;">
           🛰 ${activeSats.length} ${activeSats.length !== 1 ? t('station.settings.satellites.name_plural') : t('station.settings.satellites.name')}
         </span>
         <button class="sat-data-window-minimize"
                 onclick="window.__satWinToggleMinimize()"
                 title="${winMinimized ? 'Expand' : 'Minimize'}"
-                style="background:none; border:none; color:#888; cursor:pointer;
+          style="background:none; border:none; color: var(--text-secondary); cursor:pointer;
                        font-size:10px; line-height:1; padding:2px 4px; margin:0;">
           ${winMinimized ? '▶' : '▼'}
         </button>
@@ -225,11 +225,11 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
     const clearAllBtn = `
       <div style="margin: 10px 12px 8px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 5px;">
         <button onclick="sessionStorage.removeItem('selected_satellites'); window.location.reload();"
-                style="background: #440000; border: 1px solid #ff4444; color: #ff4444; cursor: pointer;
+          style="background: var(--bg-primary); border: 1px solid var(--accent-red); color: var(--accent-red); cursor: pointer;
                        padding: 4px 10px; font-size: 10px; border-radius: 3px; font-weight: bold; width: 100%;">
           ${t('station.settings.satellites.clearFootprints')}
         </button>
-        <span style="font-size: 9px; color: #888;">${t('station.settings.satellites.dragTitle')}</span>
+        <span style="font-size: 9px; color: var(--text-muted);">${t('station.settings.satellites.dragTitle')}</span>
       </div>
     `;
 
@@ -256,40 +256,74 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
           let altitudeStr = `${altitude.toLocaleString()} ${distanceUnitsStr}`;
 
           return `
-        <div class="sat-card" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #004444; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 8px;">
+        <div class="sat-card" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(0, 68, 68, 1); margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 8px;">
           <div style="display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center; margin-bottom:4px;">
-            <strong style="color:#ffffff; font-size: 14px;">${sat.name}</strong>
+            <strong style="color: var(--text-primary); font-size: 14px;">${sat.name}</strong>
             <button onclick="window.toggleSat('${sat.name}')" 
-                    style="background:none; border:none; color:#ff4444; cursor:pointer; font-weight:bold; font-size:20px; padding: 0 5px;">✕</button>
+                    style="background:none; border:none; color: var(--accent-red); cursor:pointer; font-weight:bold; font-size:20px; padding: 0 5px;">✕</button>
           </div>
           <table style="width:100%; font-size:11px; border-collapse: collapse;">
-            <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.latitude')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${sat.lat.toFixed(2)}°</td></tr>
-            <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.longitude')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${sat.lon.toFixed(2)}°</td></tr>
-            <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.speed')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${speedStr}</td></tr>
-            <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.altitude')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${altitudeStr}</td></tr>
-            <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.azimuth_elevation')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${sat.azimuth}° / ${sat.elevation}°</td></tr>
+
+            <!-- section 1: satellite position and motion -->
+            <tr style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-secondary);">
+              <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.latitude')}:</td>
+              <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.lat.toFixed(2)}°</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-secondary);">
+              <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.longitude')}:</td>
+              <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.lon.toFixed(2)}°</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-secondary);">
+              <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.altitude')}:</td>
+              <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${altitudeStr}</td>
+            </tr>
+            <tr style="background-color: var(--bg-tertiary); color: var(--text-secondary);">
+              <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.speed')}:</td>
+              <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${speedStr}</td>
+            </tr>
+
+            <!-- section 2: relative location and visibility -->
+            <tr style="background-color: ${isVisible ? 'var(--accent-green)' : 'var(--bg-primary)'}; color: ${isVisible ? '#000' : 'var(--text-secondary)'};">
+              <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.azimuth_elevation')}:</td>
+              <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.azimuth}° / ${sat.elevation}°</td>
+            </tr>
 
             ${
               isVisible
                 ? `
-              <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.range')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${(sat.range * (isMetric ? 1 : km_to_miles_factor)).toFixed(0)} ${distanceUnitsStr}</td></tr>
-              <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.rangeRate')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${(sat.rangeRate * (isMetric ? 1 : km_to_miles_factor)).toFixed(2)} ${rangeRateUnitsStr}</td></tr>
-              <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.dopplerFactor')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${sat.dopplerFactor.toFixed(7)}</td></tr>
+              <tr style="background-color: ${isVisible ? 'var(--accent-green)' : 'var(--bg-primary)'}; color: ${isVisible ? '#000' : 'var(--text-secondary)'};">
+                <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.range')}:</td>
+                <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${(sat.range * (isMetric ? 1 : km_to_miles_factor)).toFixed(0)} ${distanceUnitsStr}</td>
+              </tr>
+              <tr style="background-color: ${isVisible ? 'var(--accent-green)' : 'var(--bg-primary)'}; color: ${isVisible ? '#000' : 'var(--text-secondary)'};">
+                <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.rangeRate')}:</td>
+                <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${(sat.rangeRate * (isMetric ? 1 : km_to_miles_factor)).toFixed(2)} ${rangeRateUnitsStr}</td>
+              </tr>
+              <tr style="background-color: ${isVisible ? 'var(--accent-green)' : 'var(--bg-primary)'}; color: ${isVisible ? '#000' : 'var(--text-secondary)'};">
+                <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.dopplerFactor')}:</td>
+                <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.dopplerFactor.toFixed(7)}</td>
+              </tr>
             `
                 : ``
             }
 
-            <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.mode')}:</td><td align="right" style="color:#ffa500; padding:2px 0;">${sat.mode || 'N/A'}</td></tr>
-            ${sat.downlink ? `<tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.downlink')}:</td><td align="right" style="color:#00ffcc; padding:2px 0;">${sat.downlink}</td></tr>` : ''}
-            ${sat.uplink ? `<tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.uplink')}:</td><td align="right" style="color:#ffcc00; padding:2px 0;">${sat.uplink}</td></tr>` : ''}
-            ${sat.tone ? `<tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.tone')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding:2px 0;">${sat.tone}</td></tr>` : ''}
-            <tr><td style="color:#888; padding:2px 0;">${t('station.settings.satellites.status')}:</td>
-                <td align="right" class="${isVisible ? 'sat-visible-blink' : ''}" style="padding:2px 0;">
-                  ${isVisible ? `<span style="color:#00ff88;">${t('station.settings.satellites.visible')}</span>` : `<span style="color:#666;">${t('station.settings.satellites.belowHorizon')}</span>`}
-                </td>
+            <tr style="background-color: ${isVisible ? 'var(--accent-green)' : 'var(--bg-primary)'}; color: ${isVisible ? '#000' : 'var(--text-secondary)'};">
+              <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.status')}:</td>
+              <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${isVisible ? `${t('station.settings.satellites.visible')}` : `${t('station.settings.satellites.belowHorizon')}`}</td>
+            </tr>
+
+            <!-- section 3: miscellaneous satellite information -->
+            <tr style="background-color: var(--bg-secondary); color: var(--text-muted);">
+              <td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.mode')}:</td>
+              <td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.mode || 'N/A'}</td>
             </tr>
-          </table>
-          ${sat.notes ? `<div style="font-size:9px; color:#666; margin-top:4px; font-style:italic;">${sat.notes}</div>` : ''}
+            ${sat.downlink ? `<tr style="background-color: var(--bg-secondary); color: var(--text-muted);"><td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.downlink')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.downlink}</td></tr>` : ''}
+            ${sat.uplink ? `<tr style="background-color: var(--bg-secondary); color: var(--text-muted);"><td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.uplink')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.uplink}</td></tr>` : ''}
+            ${sat.tone ? `<tr style="background-color: var(--bg-secondary); color: var(--text-muted);"><td style="padding: 0 2px;">${t('station.settings.satellites.tone')}:</td><td align="right" style="padding: 0 2px;">${sat.tone}</td></tr>` : ''}
+
+            </table>
+
+            ${sat.notes ? `<div style="font-size:9px; color: var(--text-muted); margin-top:4px; font-style:italic;">${sat.notes}</div>` : ''}
         </div>
       `;
         })
@@ -320,7 +354,7 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
         const EARTH_RADIUS = 6371;
         const centralAngle = Math.acos(EARTH_RADIUS / (EARTH_RADIUS + sat.alt));
         const footprintRadiusMeters = centralAngle * EARTH_RADIUS * 1000;
-        const footColor = sat.isVisible === true ? '#00ff00' : '#00ffff';
+        const footColor = sat.isVisible === true ? 'rgba(0, 255, 0, 1)' : 'rgba(0, 255, 255, 1)';
 
         replicatePoint(sat.lat, sat.lon).forEach((pos) => {
           window.L.circle(pos, {
@@ -342,14 +376,14 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
             for (let i = 0; i < coords.length - 1; i++) {
               const fade = i / coords.length;
               window.L.polyline([coords[i], coords[i + 1]], {
-                color: '#00ffff',
+                color: 'rgba(0, 255, 255, 1)',
                 weight: 6,
                 opacity: fade * 0.3 * globalOpacity,
                 lineCap: 'round',
                 interactive: false,
               }).addTo(layerGroupRef.current);
               window.L.polyline([coords[i], coords[i + 1]], {
-                color: '#ffffff',
+                color: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)',
                 weight: 2,
                 opacity: fade * globalOpacity,
                 lineCap: 'round',
@@ -358,7 +392,7 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
             }
           } else {
             window.L.polyline(coords, {
-              color: '#00ffff',
+              color: 'rgba(0, 255, 255, 1)',
               weight: 1,
               opacity: 0.15 * globalOpacity,
               dashArray: '5, 10',
@@ -371,7 +405,7 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
           const leadCoords = sat.leadTrack.map((p) => [p[0], p[1]]);
           replicatePath(leadCoords).forEach((lCoords) => {
             window.L.polyline(lCoords, {
-              color: '#ffff00',
+              color: 'rgba(255, 255, 0, 1)',
               weight: 3,
               opacity: 0.8 * globalOpacity,
               dashArray: '8, 12',
@@ -387,8 +421,8 @@ export const useLayer = ({ map, enabled, satellites, setSatellites, opacity, con
           icon: window.L.divIcon({
             className: 'sat-marker',
             html: `<div style="display:flex; flex-direction:column; align-items:center; opacity: ${globalOpacity};">
-                     <div style="font-size:${isSelected ? '32px' : '22px'}; filter:${isSelected ? 'drop-shadow(0 0 10px #00ffff)' : 'none'}; cursor: pointer;">🛰</div>
-                     <div class="sat-label" style="${isSelected ? 'color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold;' : ''}">${sat.name}</div>
+                     <div style="font-size:${isSelected ? '32px' : '22px'}; filter:${isSelected ? 'drop-shadow(0 0 10px rgba(0, 255, 255, 1))' : 'none'}; cursor: pointer;">🛰</div>
+                     <div class="sat-label" style="${isSelected ? 'color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1); font-weight: bold;' : ''}">${sat.name}</div>
                    </div>`,
             iconSize: [80, 50],
             iconAnchor: [40, 25],