Satellite Tracker W/ Green Laser Pointer

WARNING: This project uses a long distance laser. Avoid eye contact and do not use in the vicinity of aircraft as outlined in US Federal Statutes and UK’s Laser Misuse Laws as examples. Check your own country’s laws regarding operation.

This an adaptation of Alex Chang’s Satellite Tracker. Designed as prototype for a larger tracker that will support a Yagi antenna to receive satellite, and ISS, telemetry data and HAM radio communication. If NORAD has a publicly listed TLE, it will track and point at it as it passes. TLEs and Satellite names are configured in the .ino files provided for download. The .ino files are just examples that contain six satellites. Sorry, this will not track clouds or orbiting planets. This a portable version and can be used with either stand alone post or it can be mounted on a tripod. This version incorporates is a sturdier platform in order to support a 5-10 mile green laser. Code includes a blinking LED to verify operation. Created for Satellite Hunters HAMSAT operators to aid in the visual identification of passing orbiting satellites for fun at night. That is it’s primary function. Supplies have links to purchase parts at time of publication. Since website supply changes daily, you may need to find parts on other sites. If you find that link no longer works and can provide a viable replacement option, please send link and I’ll update supply list.

1) 1 X Arduino MKR1000

2) 2 X Geared Stepper Motor 28BYJ-48 5V Stepper Motor + Uln2003 Motor w/ Ribbon

3) 1 X Green Long Range Astronomy Laser

4) 4 X 8x22x7 Skate Board Bearings

5) 2 X Urgenex 1000mah 2S1P Li-Po Battery

6) 1 X Generic 900mah 1S1P Li-Po Battery

7) 2 X 5cm 2-pin JST extension wires plug and socket male to female

8) 1 X 20cm JST PH 2.0 2-Pin Battery Male to Female Connector Extension Wire Cable

9) 4 X M3x8mm Socket Cap Head Bolts

10) 4 X M3 Nylon Locking Nut

11) 4 X M4x12mm Socket Cap Head Bolts

12) 4 X M4 Nylon Locking Nut

13) Rosin Soldering Flux

14) Activated Rosin Cored Wire Solder

15) Shrink Tubing

16) ABS Filament

17) 1/4oz Grey Lead Free Adhesive Backed Wheel Weights

18) 1 X #6x1/2” Pan Head Screw

19) 1 X #4x1/2” Pan Head Screw

20) 1 X Laser Safety Glasses

21) Acetone (optional).

22) Wi-Fi Access

1) Print out the following parts for Satellite Tracker w/ Green Laser Pointer on Thingiverse.com: Post Mount, Tripod Base, Platter, CW-Upper Arms, CW-Lower Arms, Motor Axle, Axle Spacer, Axle Pin, MKR1000 Mount, CW Mount Bracket & Laser Mount. Lightly brush parts with acetone for gloss appearance (optional).

Using CA Glue & spring clamps, assemble both halves of the Tripod Base Mount.

1) Using CA glue and spring clamps, assemble both halves of Post Mount Base.

2) Using CA glue attach Base to Post.

Using CA Glue attach axle pin to the platter stand without the motor mount as shown in photo.

Mount Z-Axis (Azimuth) Motor to bottom of Platter using 2 X M4x12mm Socket Head Cap Bolts and 2 X M4 Nylon Locking Nuts as show in photo.

Mount X-Axis (Elevation) Motor to Platter stand using 2 X M4x12mm Socket Head Cap Bolts and 2 X M4 Nylon Locking Nuts.

Attach 4 X Skateboard Bearing to Platter by sliding bearing onto to Platter Bearing Axles.

Slide Axle Spacer over Axle Pin making sure curved end is seated flush against Platter stand.

1) Using CA glue and spring clamps attach right and left Counter Weight Lowers to Upper Counter Weight arm.

2) Using CA glue and spring clamp attach Battery Holder to Upper Counter Weight on side with hex shaped indentation and thru hole. The Motor Axle will be inserted here. The top of battery holder should be even with top of counter weight.

3) Using CA glue and spring clamp attach MKR1000 Mount to other side of Upper Counter Weight arm while making sure to align holes on counter weight and MKR1000 Mount for Axle Pin.

Note: Photo shows lead weights attached to bottoms of counter weight. Attaching weights will come later.

Using 2 X M3x8mm Socket Cap Heads and 2 X M3 Locking Nylon Nuts mount ULN2003 Motor Driver to one side of Counter Weight as shown in photo. Repeat for second Motor Driver on other side of Counter Weight.

Mount 8 X Lead-Free Weights to bottom of Counter Weight Arms as shown in picture. This weight is just an approximate for now, you will need to fine tune balance later.

Slide Laser Mount Ring over Laser Mount’s closed end. Insert closed end of Laser Mount into hole on top of Counter Weight and use 1 X #6x1/2” Pan Head Screw & CW Mount Bracket to secure. Slide down Laser Mount Ring flush with Counter Weight Arm to establish ring gluing position. Remove Laser Mount from Counter Weight Arm and use CA glue to glue Laser Mount Ring to Laser Mount. Allow glue to dry and then remount Laser Mount to Counter Weight Arm using CW Mount Bracket.

Drill 1.5mm hole in center of Axle Pin Nut.

Gently insert elevation Motor Axle into CW Arm with MKR1000 Mount. Then insert Axle Pin into hole on opposite side of CW Arm.

Insert Motor Axle Nut through hole on CW Arm and onto shaft of the elevation Motor. Make sure Motor Axle Nut aligns with hex indentation on Counter Weight so as to engage Elevation Motor.

Push Axle Pin Nut onto Axle Pin and secure with 1 X #4x1/2” Pan Head Screw. Upper Platter Assembly should be centered.

Install upper tracker assembly by pushing onto Post Mount by aligning Motor shaft with center slot in middle of Post Mount. Insert Green Laser into Laser Mount. Use tape wrapped around Laser to create a snug fit if necessary. Insert large batteries into Counter Weight baskets and the Small Battery into the Battery Holder on Counter Weight. Tape can be used to wrap around batteries for a snug fit. Attach additional Lead Weights as necessary to balance Counter Weight while in a horizontal position.

Connect Motor cables to Motor Drivers as shown in photo.

1) Download Satellite_Tracker_Blink.ino. (below)

2) Install Arduino Create Agent.

3) Go to https://www.arduino.cc/ and create account.

4) Login and open Web Editor by selecting the 3x3 dots button in upper right hand corner of screen.

5) Select New Sketch button.

6) Rename new sketch to "Satellite_Tracker_Blink by selecting down triangle tab on far right.

7) Select triangle again and select Import File Into Sketch.

8) Navigate to the Satellite_Tracker_Blink.ino you unzipped earlier and select Open.

9) Verify and Save new sketch by selecting the "check mark" button in upper left hand corner.

10) Edit Satellite_Tracker_Blink.ino to change: 1) WiFi Network Name 2) WiFi Network Password 3) Timezone (GMT) 4) Satellite Names and respective NORAD Catalog Numbers 5) Number of Satellites you wish to track, 6) Your Altitude in ft. 7) Your Longitude and Latitude as shown in screen shot of code above.

11) Verify and Save.

12) Use the select Board and Port drop down menu to select Arduino MKR1000 with proper com port (port number varies from computer to computer depending on computer config).

13) Upload and Save by selecting the "right arrow" button.

14) Unplug USB when complete.

Note: Satellite_Tracker_Serial_Output.ino can be loaded with USB cable connected to test/verify WiFi communication and show satellite pass information by showing results on the serial monitor within Arduino Web Editor. It will not allow motor function using just the USB cable because power needs to be independently supplied to the motor drivers. remember to reload Satellite_Tracker_Blink when done testing.

Hand ream MKR1000 Mount holes with 1.5mm drill bit and Professional Pin Vise Hand Drill for easier pin alignment and insertion. Mount Arduino MKR1000 as shown in photo.

Use 2 X 4-wire Ribbons to connect Arduino to Motor Drivers.

Power up MKR1000 using Small Battery and 20cmm JST Extension. You should get a blinking LED to verify WiFi connection and program function. Power up Motor Drivers using 2 X Large Batteries and 2 X 5cm JST Extensions. Set starting position by pointing laser to true north at an elevation of 20°. Power up Green Laser and place in Laser Mount.

WARNING: This is a long distance laser. Avoid eye contact and do not use in the vicinity of aircraft as outlined in US Federal Statutes and UK’s Laser Misuse Laws as examples. Check your own country’s laws regarding operation. It does not have the power required to reach even an LEO satellite orbiting at 12,000 miles above earth.