Show HN: Open-Source International Space Station Tracker ESP32/Arduino for $20
16 comments
·June 27, 2025consumer451
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...
keyth72
WOW that is a cool shot, thanks for sharing!
matteason
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
fillskills
Wow, this is pretty legendary work: https://iss.matteason.co.uk/
keyth72
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!
coffeecoders
This looks like a fun project. Any reason for using resistive touch model?
SiempreViernes
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.
keyth72
Or maybe this is the one you meant: https://www.reddit.com/r/arduino/comments/11pxh3h/iss_tracke...
keyth72
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...
panki27
Looks like a fun tinker project. Could be easily extended with a GPS receiver to show your location on the map.
calgoo
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.
keyth72
Definitely alot of directions you could go with it, looking forward to seeing what people do with the code!
potsii
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.
endofreach
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.
keyth72
No need to perpetuate any negativity, I can take it ;) constructive feedback is appreciated though!
keyth72
Yup, that's all it is! Really simple beginner project, with room to grow on the hardware.
International 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.