International Space Station Tracker

The ISS tracker project creates a physical, interactive visualization of the International Space Station's position in real time. This setup has become popular in classrooms, space clubs, among enthusiasts, and at science fairs, as it offers a direct and hands-on way to observe satellite tracking and orbital motion. By making ISS tracking tangible and exciting, the project provides a live demonstration of how satellites orbit the Earth and how space technology operates. It helps users learn key concepts such as orbital mechanics, how to interact with web APIs to fetch live data, and how to use microcontrollers to control hardware components. Let's see how it works!

1. Aim/Objective

To design and construct a real-time, physical International Space Station tracker that dynamically indicates the ISS’s live position around a globe using electronic and mechanical systems, providing interactive space education.

2. Components Used

● Microcontroller: ESP32 (for WiFi and API requests)
● Motors: Servo motors (to move the ISS model in latitude/longitude)
● Globe (as Earth)
● 3D-printed ISS model (for the moving pointer)
● Magnets (mechanical movement coupling)
● Power source and wiring
● LEDs for indicators
● Misc: Breadboard/PCB, screws, calibration button
● Internet connection for live data
● (Based on referenced project examples: NodeMCU, Wemos D1 Mini, 3D printed Ear

3. How It Works

● Build or get a globe and a small ISS model
● Mount the ISS model on a mechanical arm/pointer, attached to servos for movement in two axes
(altitude/longitude)
● Connect servo motors to an ESP32 microcontroller (or NodeMCU)
● Get live ISS position via API (like Open Notify or NASA)
● Convert real-time latitude and longitude data into servo motor angles
● Code moves the model ISS around the globe, matching real ISS orbit
● Optionally: Add LEDs and a buzzer to show proximity/alerts (for overhead passes)
● Assemble all hardware neatly in the globe stand, calibrate, and power on

4. High-Level Overview of the Technology

● Microcontroller (ESP32/NodeMCU): Handles WiFi, makes API requests for live ISS coordinates.
● APIs (Open Notify/NASA): Provide real-time positional data (latitude/longitude) for the station.
● Motors (Servo/Stepper): Move physical pointer to correctly reflect the ISS position on a globe.
● Code (Arduino/Python): Fetches ISS data, maps co-ordinates to mechanical movement.
● Optionals: LEDs and buzzers for engagement; 3D-printed parts for visual appeal; hardware circuits for
assembling and integrating all elements.
● Domain: Electronics (integration of hardware, embedded coding, and IoT concepts)

5. Code Used for the ISS Tracker

#include 
#include 
#include 
const char* ssid = "YOUR_WIFI_SSID";
const char* password = "YOUR_WIFI_PASSWORD";
Servo servoLat, servoLong;
void setup() {
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
servoLat.attach(4); // Pin numbers may differ
servoLong.attach(5); }
void loop() {
if (WiFi.status() == WL_CONNECTED) {
HTTPClient http;
http.begin("http://api.open-notify.org/iss-now.json");
int httpCode = http.GET();
if (httpCode > 0) {
String payload = http.getString();
// Parse JSON for latitude/longitude
float latitude = ...;
float longitude = ...;

// Convert to servo angles:
int angleLat = map(latitude, -90, 90, 0, 180);
int angleLong = map(longitude, -180, 180, 0, 180);
servoLat.write(angleLat);
servoLong.write(angleLong); }
http.end(); }
delay(5000); // Fetch every 5 seconds }

6. Current Location

Track the ISS right now: Where's our space pizza delivery? Oh wait, that’s the ISS! Check it here. (It’s faster than rush-hour traffic and never gets stuck at traffic lights.)

7.Team members

Naveen Kumar S - Ece 27 Uditha Reddy - Ece 28 Nilima Sharma - Ise 28