ArduSat launches, open-source in space!

Ardusat is the first open satellite platform that allows the general public to design and run applications, games and experiments in space, while also steering onboard cameras to take pictures on-demand. More specifically, ArduSat is designed to give ordinary people – students, teachers and individuals – the chance to conduct experiments by controlling over 25 different integrated sensors including spectrometers, magnetometers, radiation measurement devices, gyroscopes, accelerometers and thermometers.

As planned, ArduSat was successfully launched on August 4th.

The satellite’s destination? The International Space Station (ISS).

As previously discussed on Bits & Pieces, Nanosatisfi CEO Peter Platzer recently told NPR that Atmel-powered Arduino technology was key to Ardusat’s philosophy.

“I’ve really wanted to use something that everyone across the world can use, that has wide appeal to everyday people,” Platzer explained. “There really was no alternative.”

Indeed, Arduino boards are used to power a wide range of electronic designs and DIY hobbyist creations including robots, desk lamps, environmental sensors, 3D printers and now, even satellites.

Hardware Innovation Workshop kicks off the run-up to Maker’s Faire

Maker’s Faire can probably best be described as the ultimate DIY electronics show. Held at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds, the event is a huge science fair for the general public, where Do-It-Yourselfers take center stage and roam around unleashed (usually on their segways), wearing propeller beanies and flashy LED pins.

Atmel will be attending the festivities, so be sure to check us out at booth #625 where we’ll have MakerBot demos and an “IoTorium” – an emporium of awesome Internet of Things devices. We’ll also be showcasing PuzzleBox’s brain-controlled helicopters, alongside the cool riders from Faraday Bikes, smart watches and hackable Hexbugs.

In the meantime, we thought you’d enjoy a quick rundown of the Hardware Innovation Workshop, which kicked off the Maker Fair festivities last night. A number of startups were on the premises showing off their impressive wares, including Spark Devices, Dash Robotics, Nano Satisfi and Lockitron.

The Spark Core is an Arduino-compatible, Wi-Fi enabled, cloud-powered development platform designed to simplify the development of Internet-connected hardware.

The device, which recently tipped up on Kickstarter, managed to hit its initial funding goal within 75 minutes and has thus far raised $276,420 – with 17 days to go.

Meanwhile, Dash is the world’s first foldable, programmable, origami robot that you can build yourself. Inspired by nature, the lightweight Dash runs like the world’s fastest animals and fits in the palm of your hand.

NanoSatisfi strives to offer affordable access to space exploration with the baseline ArduSat (Arduino – satellite). Essentially, Nano Satisfi is the first open platform allowing the general public to design and run their own space-based applications, games and experiments – all while steering onboard cameras and snapping pictures.

The baseline model of the satellite uses Arduino Nanos mounted on a custom PCB, although the NanoSatisfi crew is also eyeing the most recent Arduino models like Leonardo, Due and Megas.

And last, but certainly not least, the aptly named Lockitron allows users to secure their doors from anywhere in the world with their smartphones, while allowing instant access to be shared with family and friends via a two-button app.

Lockitron can be controlled by API endpoints, or programmed directly thanks to its Arduino-compatible ATMega microcontroller.