Numbers differ depending on where you look, but there are approximately 8000 man-made objects in a stable orbit around the Earth.  Approximately 3000 of those are active satellites(1), chattering away in orbit with countless languages and formats.  ”Sir Ron” Nash is working on making a system to help keep track of them himself at hack.rva.

A DIY Satellite Tracking System. Right out of Real Genius.

Ron outlines the steps to build out his tracking system in general terms:

1. Build the antenna. COMPLETE.
2. Make a portable mount. i.e concrete bucket. COMPLETE.
3. Make motor drivable azimuth and elevation mount for the directional antenna. IN PROGRESS.
4. Stepper or motor tests. Full range of motion tests.
5. Full software driven operation tests.

As the mechanics develop he may leak a few of them out here. Stop by the hackerspace on most Open Hack Nights and he’d be happy to share the details with you.

1. http://www.wisegeek.com/how-many-satellites-are-orbiting-the-earth.htm

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maker, Projects by jduncan