CanSat: design, development, and deployment of open source weather monitoring nano-satellite

Environmental monitoring and educational
accessibility face significant challenges due to the
complexity and high cost of traditional satellite systems.
Addressing these issues requires a cost-effective solution
that enables comprehensive study and intervention to
improve environmental conditions. In this paper, we
introduce CanSat, a compact satellite designed for
educational and research purposes, utilizing off-the-shelf
components and a 3D-printed frame to streamline
operations and focus on critical processes such as modeling
and communication. Equipped with a microcontroller
(Esp32) and an RF communication (LoRa Module).
CanSat efficiently processes and transmits data, including
real-time video, temp, and %RH (% Relative humidity), to
ground stations. The CanSat's performance was observed
through successful data transmission and global
accessibility of data visualization and analysis. The results
indicated reliable operation, with data visualization and
analysis accessible worldwide through customized web
pages and real-time tracking capabilities, demonstrating
CanSat's potential as a user-friendly and cost-effective
platform for near-space exploration.