SpaceHub

Summary

Soha and Sanri, students of Grade 8 at Exel Public School, developed an innovative, low-cost satellite tracker designed for amateur astronomers. Their tracker combines affordability, ease of use, and accuracy to democratize space observation, making it accessible to enthusiasts with limited resources. Utilizing an ESP8266-based system, the tracker precisely positions satellite dishes to follow satellites like the ISS and Hubble. The solution overcomes the complexities of traditional tracking systems, featuring real-time updates and user-friendly calibration via a web interface. Their project aims to bridge the gap between enthusiasts and the cosmos, empowering hobbyists to engage in celestial observations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The team, 'Celestials', consists of two 8th-grade students, Soha and Sanri, from Exel Public School.
• 😀 Their project focuses on developing an innovative, low-cost satellite tracker with affordability, ease of use, and accuracy.
• 😀 The motivation behind the project is to make satellite tracking more accessible to amateur astronomers and enthusiasts.
• 😀 High costs, complex calibration, and specialized knowledge are barriers in professional satellite tracking systems.
• 😀 The solution proposed is a NodeMCU ESP8266-based satellite tracker that integrates open-source technology to enhance accessibility.
• 😀 The tracker is designed to track satellites like the International Space Station (ISS) and Hubble Space Telescope.
• 😀 The tracker uses a stepper motor to adjust a 3D-printed dish based on the ISS and Hubble's real-time positioning data.
• 😀 The web server, facilitated by the ESP8266 Wi-Fi module, allows users to calibrate and control the tracker through a user-friendly interface.
• 😀 The system continuously updates satellite positions every 10 seconds using data obtained from the Ino API.
• 😀 The project was a collaborative effort between the two students, with guidance from their mentor, and support from the ATL lab.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the team 'Celestials' in their project?

The main goal of team 'Celestials' is to develop an innovative, low-cost satellite tracker that combines affordability, ease of use, and accurate satellite positioning, making satellite tracking more accessible for amateur astronomers and enthusiasts.

Why did the team choose to develop a low-cost satellite tracker?

The team chose to develop a low-cost satellite tracker to make space observation more accessible to amateur astronomers and hobbyists, especially considering the high costs of professional-grade satellite tracking systems.

What challenges in traditional satellite tracking systems does this project aim to overcome?

This project aims to overcome the challenges of high costs, complex calibration processes, and specialized knowledge requirements in traditional satellite tracking systems, which limit accessibility for smaller research groups and hobbyists.

What is the proposed solution for satellite tracking in this project?

The proposed solution is a NodeMCU ESP8266-based tracker, offering affordability, accessibility, and precision through open-source technology, making satellite tracking more inclusive and user-friendly.

Which satellites are the tracker designed to track?

The tracker is designed to track the International Space Station (ISS) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).

How does the system align with the positions of satellites like the ISS and HST?

The system uses current azimuth and elevation angles of the ISS and HST, which are converted into specific steps for stepper motors. These motors then precisely orient a 3D-printed dish towards the satellites, ensuring accurate alignment.

What role does the microcontroller play in the system?

The microcontroller manages the connection between the components, ensuring that the stepper motors are accurately calibrated to correspond with satellite positions and maintain proper alignment.

How does the system allow users to calibrate and control the satellite tracker?

The system uses a web server created through the ESP8266's Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing users to calibrate and control the tracker through a user-friendly interface. Users initiate calibration by pressing buttons on the web interface to align the pointer accurately.

What technology is incorporated post-calibration for enhanced tracking accuracy?

A digital compass is incorporated post-calibration to help continuously monitor and update the real-time positions of the ISS and Hubble Space Telescope every 10 seconds.

What was the team's role in the development of the satellite tracker?

The two team members, Soha and Sanri, worked together on coding and building the system, with each helping the other throughout the project.

Who provided guidance during the project development?

The team thanked their mentor for guiding them throughout the entire project and expressed gratitude towards the ATL lab for providing the opportunity to work on it.