🚀 Educational Nanosatellite Using Arduino (CubeSat DIY Model)

In this project, I designed an educational CubeSat using motion and environmental sensors, a wireless communication system, a 3D-printed chassis, and a ground base for data monitoring. The goal is to teach the fundamentals of space systems in a simple and experiential manner.

Components & Materials

️ Satellite Unit:

* Arduino Nano

* MPU6050 (Accelerometer + Gyroscope)

* BME280 (Temperature, Humidity, Pressure Sensor)

* NRF24L01 Wireless Module

* Li-Po Battery + Charging Module (optional)

* 3D Printed CubeSat Frame (Design files below)

Ground Station:

* ESP32 Development Board

* 20x4 LCD (I2C)

* NRF24L01 Wireless Module

* Jumper wires

* 3D Printed Ground Station (Design files below)

🖨️ 3D Printed Structure

The CubeSat body was designed in **Fusion 360** and printed using PLA on a standard 3D printer. The design follows the 10x10x10 cm

CubeSat body

https://grabcad.com/library/educational-cubesat-1u-1/details?folder_id=6899575

Ground Station body

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1159729

🔷 Satellite (Arduino Nano):

MPU6050 -> SDA to A4, SCL to A5

BME280 -> SDA to A4, SCL to A5

NRF24L01 -> VCC (3.3V), GND, CE, CSN, SCK, MOSI, MISO

🟢 Ground Station (ESP32):

NRF24L01 -> VCC (3.3V), GND, CE, CSN, SCK, MOSI, MISO

LCD 20x4 -> SDA to GPIO21, SCL to GPIO22

🛰️ Arduino Nano (Satellite Code)

* Reads sensor data from MPU6050 and BME280

* Sends the data over NRF24L01

🌍 ESP32 (Ground Station Code)

* Receives data using NRF24L01

* Displays values on a 20x4 LCD in real-time

📎 All code files are attached at the bottom!

1. The satellite unit collects environmental and motion data.

2. The data is sent wirelessly using NRF24L01 to the ground station.

3. The ESP32 receives the data and displays it live on an LCD screen.

4. Optional: You can expand this project to send data to the cloud using ESP32 WiFi!

* Learn about CubeSat architecture

* Understand sensor interfacing

* Practice wireless communication

* Engage in real-world embedded systems

My website

https://wlnotrrn7ggyrejxn3tgagtaylor.on.drv.tw/Baqir1/