Thanks to TokyLabs for this wonderful DIY project. Today we'll build an ISS Notifier, it will notify you every time the International Space Station passes over your location. Let's Build!
I'll be using TokyMaker designed by TokyLabs which is a Micro-Computer which can be used to create amazing stuff by using a handful of electronics and some programming, and also, No Prior knowledge required. I'll put all the stuff here. Also, electronic modules connect without soldering, making it child friendly. TokyMaker is programmed from a website, which sends code over Wi-Fi - no cables, plugins, software, nothing. Even non-programmers can easily code using the Graphical Code language Google Blockly.
Materials Required
- TokyMaker Micro-Computer - $50 from tokylabs.com/tokymaker
- Hobby Servo-motor
- Battery pack, 3x AA
- Paper printouts of space station and an astronaut image (make it look cool)
- Wooden sticks/chopsticks
Set Up Adafruit IO Feed
Create a cloud account at io.adafruit.com. Then go to Feeds --> Actions --> Create a New Feed. Name it "ISS". Click the View AIO Key Button, then copy your unique key and save it somewhere you'll remember as you will be going to use that later to link your TokyMaker to to your Adafruit IO Feed.
Set Up IFTTT Action
Create an account at ifttt.com. This website links Internet Services in a simple way. In this case, If the ISS passes over a specific address, then send let say,"send a number or something different that you like, to your Adafruit ISS Feed, to let you know about its location."
First, go to "Trigger", select "New Applet", then click on "+ this" and type "Space" in the search bar. Click the Space Icon and choose "ISS passes over specific location", then type your address and click on "Create Trigger".
Next, Click on "+ that" and search for Adafruit. Click the Connect button and complete the fields in the popup window. Click on "Create Action" and you are done setting up.
Program the TokyMaker
For the physical and Programming part. Every time the ISS passes over your location, your TokyMaker will run a program to give you a signal, which you will program. Go to tokylabs.com/ISS and download the ISS Notifier code to your TokyMaker, OR, you can create one yourself at create.tokylabs.com.
Building ISS Notifier
If looks matter to you, you can make your own image of the ISS or can search for one on the net. Print it out and glue the TokyMaker on the front, and the battery holder at the back. Plug the servo-motor into Output - 1, wrap its cable around, and glue the servo on the back so it's standing up. Find an astronaut image and tape it to one end of the stick. Cut the stick to size, then glue the other end of the servo arm so the astronaut faces the front.
And, We're Done!
We are completed here, from now onwards whenever the ISS will pass over your location, The TokyMaker will command the servo to move the Astronaut and show a message on the OLED Screen with the number of orbits completed on that day! This is an easy and fun to make DIY project. I hope you'll like it. Note : All credit goes to TokyLabs.
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