Show HN: Open-Source International Space Station Tracker ESP32/Arduino for $20
github.comInternational Space Station Tracker on an ESP32 CYD (Cheap Yellow Display) costing $20. Live update over Wifi, touchscreen, backlight power management. Cheap and interesting classroom STEM project. Fully open source.
This is a complete tangent, but a photographer recently captured what is likely the all-time best shot of the ISS.
https://old.reddit.com/r/spaceporn/comments/1lfgtiw/on_sunda...
WOW that is a cool shot, thanks for sharing!
Really neat! If you're interested in adding clouds to your basemap I built a service [0] which generates free, almost-live cloudmaps (with alpha channel or precomposited onto a Blue Marble image) as part of my own ISS tracker project
[0] https://github.com/matteason/live-cloud-maps
Wow, this is pretty legendary work: https://iss.matteason.co.uk/
That's really cool! Starred so I can find it later, might be challenging putting it on the esp32 but if there's an easy way to downsize the images then it should be do-able. Thanks!
Aaaw, this only displays the position on a screen :( I was hoping for the cool version where a small arm is physically pointing at the ISS.
Or maybe this is the one you meant: https://www.reddit.com/r/arduino/comments/11pxh3h/iss_tracke...
I saw that one! Very impressive project with 3D printed parts. Here is that project for anyone interested: https://projecthub.arduino.cc/alex_chang/satellite-tracker-2...
This looks like a fun project. Any reason for using resistive touch model?
It's what I learned on, and there seems to be more info available out there about it (for now), but capacitive touch CYD would probably be better/more responsive. The resistive touch option seems to be a few dollars cheaper in general on Amazon.
Looks like a fun tinker project. Could be easily extended with a GPS receiver to show your location on the map.
A SDR could be cool too, and basically let it connect live to ISS when the GPS confirms its above. CPU and memory might be an issue, but getting some 145Mhz / 437Mhz SDR and an external antenna jack on the board could be a cool way of letting the device listen in when the ISS is above.
Definitely alot of directions you could go with it, looking forward to seeing what people do with the code!
Another variant of the generic:
"Read a REST endpoint via HTTP and draw it on a display with LVGL"
But also funny because OP used two MCUs, when a single ESP32 could do all of this.
you seem to be (someone who wants to appear) more experienced. maybe you could give constructive feedback rather than ridiculing. what a negative comment just to feel better about yourself. sad.
No need to perpetuate any negativity, I can take it ;) constructive feedback is appreciated though!
Yup, that's all it is! Really simple beginner project, with room to grow on the hardware.