Receive updates for the position of the ISS every minute and push it to a database
This workflow automatically retrieves real-time location information of the International Space Station (ISS) every minute and pushes its latitude, longitude, and timestamp data to the Google Cloud Realtime Database. By implementing scheduled data fetching and processing, it achieves high-frequency real-time monitoring and instant storage, addressing the issue of untimely data updates. It is widely used in aerospace research, educational demonstrations, and data visualization scenarios, providing reliable data support.
Workflow Name
Receive updates for the position of the ISS every minute and push it to a database
Key Features and Highlights
This workflow automatically retrieves the real-time position of the International Space Station (ISS) every minute and pushes the latitude, longitude, and timestamp data to Google Cloud Realtime Database in real time. Through automated scheduling and data processing, it ensures high-frequency updates and immediate storage of location information.
Core Problems Addressed
Manual or low-frequency retrieval of ISS position data cannot meet real-time monitoring requirements. This workflow resolves issues related to untimely data updates and complex data integration by automating scheduled data fetching and storage, providing a reliable data foundation for subsequent analysis and visualization.
Application Scenarios
- Real-time tracking of the ISS trajectory for aerospace research institutions or enthusiasts
- Educational platforms showcasing the dynamic position of the space station
- Providing real-time ISS location data support for data visualization projects
- Backend data source for third-party applications requiring ISS position data
Main Process Steps
- Cron Scheduled Trigger: Automatically activates the workflow every minute.
- HTTP Request: Calls the API to obtain the ISS position data at the current timestamp.
- Data Processing (Set Node): Extracts and organizes the returned latitude, longitude, and timestamp data.
- Data Storage: Pushes the processed data to Google Cloud Realtime Database for real-time data persistence.
Involved Systems or Services
- API Service: ISS position data provided via the API at https://api.wheretheiss.at
- Google Cloud Realtime Database: Serves as the data storage platform supporting real-time data synchronization and access
- n8n Automation Platform: Integrates scheduled tasks, HTTP requests, data processing, and database operations
Target Users and Value
- Aerospace researchers and developers who require real-time ISS position data
- Educational and science popularization organizations showcasing the space station’s dynamics
- Data engineers and automation enthusiasts building real-time data collection and storage solutions
- Any users interested in the ISS trajectory, enabling easy access to and utilization of real-time data