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International Space Station (ISS) Real-Time Location Push Workflow

This workflow automates the real-time acquisition and dissemination of the International Space Station's location. It retrieves the latest longitude, latitude, and timestamp every minute through a public API and publishes the data to a specified topic via the MQTT protocol. This process addresses the issue of low traditional data update frequency, enhancing the timeliness of the space station's location data. It is suitable for space enthusiasts, educational institutions, developers, and IoT operators, facilitating real-time monitoring and application integration.

Workflow Diagram
International Space Station (ISS) Real-Time Location Push Workflow Workflow diagram

Workflow Name

International Space Station (ISS) Real-Time Location Push Workflow

Key Features and Highlights

This workflow automatically triggers every minute to call the public API of the International Space Station, retrieving the latest geographic location (longitude, latitude) and timestamp of the ISS in real time. The processed location data is then pushed via the MQTT protocol to a designated topic, enabling real-time distribution and monitoring of the ISS position.

Core Problem Addressed

Traditional methods for obtaining ISS location data suffer from low update frequency and lack of real-time push capabilities. This workflow achieves automated, real-time, and high-frequency data fetching and distribution, significantly enhancing the timeliness and availability of space station location information.

Application Scenarios

  • Real-time monitoring of the ISS trajectory by aerospace enthusiasts or educational institutions
  • Integration of ISS location data into proprietary applications or systems by developers or enterprises (e.g., map displays, alert systems)
  • IoT platforms subscribing to ISS location via MQTT for data sharing and real-time responsiveness
  • Media or research organizations tracking space station movements for reporting or analysis purposes

Main Process Steps

  1. Cron Node: Triggers the workflow execution every minute.
  2. HTTP Request Node: Calls the ISS public API with the current timestamp parameter to obtain the latest location data.
  3. Set Node: Extracts and organizes key information from the API response, including space station name, longitude, latitude, and timestamp.
  4. MQTT Node: Publishes the processed location data to the MQTT topic “iss-position” for subscribers to access in real time.

Involved Systems or Services

  • International Space Station Public API (https://api.wheretheiss.at)
  • MQTT Messaging Middleware (for data publishing and subscription)
  • n8n Automation Platform (used for overall orchestration and workflow management)

Target Users and Value

  • Aerospace and Astronomy Enthusiasts: Convenient access to ISS location data to enhance observation experiences.
  • Developers and System Integrators: Leverage real-time data to drive application innovation and improve system intelligence.
  • Educational Institutions: Use as a teaching tool to inspire student interest in aerospace science.
  • IoT Operators: Enable real-time monitoring and application linkage of space station location data.

By automating data retrieval and message pushing, this workflow greatly simplifies the process of acquiring and distributing ISS location information, supporting real-time applications across multiple industries.