How to Build a Temperature Cubesat

Imagine having the capability of exploring a planet using nothing but a 10x10x10 cube.
Now you can!

(Note: This project won’t actually go to the moon, sorry)

My name is Alyssa, and in this Instructable I will show you how my two partners (Stormi and Hannah) and I created our very own Cubesat! The goal of our mini satellite, was to measure the temperature of Mars (which in our experiment was a metal half sphere, close enough).

Step 1: Materials/Tools

-CUBESAT-

Popsicle sticks: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kids-Craft-Wooden-Craf...

Duck Tape: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kids-Craft-Wooden-Craf...

Hot glue: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

Cardboard

-ARDUINO-

Arduino: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

Bread board: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

Wires: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

220 Resistor: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

LED: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

SD Card: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

Temperature Sensor: https://www.walmart.com/ip/AdTech-Hi-Temp-Mini-Ho...

Battery

Step 2: Saftey

Make sure you wire correctly to avoid overheating a sensor.

Be cautious when using a hot glue gun.

Step 3: Instructions

Arduino:

The first step to programming your Arduino is hooking up the temperature sensor. (refer to picture above)

(for the sake of the SD card later, replace 5V with 3.3V)

Next, you’ll go to this website: https://arduinomodules.info/ky-028-digital-temper...

And copy the code listed.

There are no extra libraries required to verify the code, so you should be able to transfer the code right away.

After transferring the code to your Arduino, you need to open the Serial Monitor to see the numbers your temperature sensor is picking up.

**This number is NOT an actual temperature**

Once you've ensured your sensor is running fine, record the number that you see and match it with the temperature of the room.

Next up is coding the SD Card (follow the picture above to hook it up).

the changes to your code are highlighted in the pictures above.

After you've made the changes, make sure the LED lights up when you transfer your code.

Plug in a battery to your Arduino and remove it from the computer and you should be set!

Cubesat:

start by taping together the basic shape of your cube (you'll want to hotglue the sticks to strips of cardboard for extra strength).

Next, hot glue each corner to ensure sturdiness (Exclude the top as you'll need to be able to remove it later).

Next, secure the top with duct tape.

Lastly. tie string to the top piece of your Cubesat

Testing:

Do a shake test to make sure your Cubesat is stable (video above)

For your final test, you'll need to attach your Cubesat to something that spins, and have a heater nearby to crank up the temperature as it goes.

Step 4: Problems You May Encounter

If your LED doesn't light up after coding your SD Card:

-Double check code changes

-Make sure your LED is placed correctly

-Replace LED

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Ensure that your Arduino, breadboard, and battery are secured inside the Cubesat and don't move around.

Step 5: Finished!

Our set number for our temperature was 240 (75.5 degrees Fahrenheit)

The results from our sensor after testing went up to 340 (175.5 degrees Fahrenheit)

So in conclusion, the temperature on our Mars was 175.5 degrees.