A lamp that lights when the ISS passes over
Light a lamp during visible passes of the International Space Station over your location, as a prompt to go outside and look up.
A source to explore and a proposed direction to develop. This is not a full build assessment.
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Light a lamp during visible passes of the International Space Station over your location, as a prompt to go outside and look up.
CAIBI’s proposed addition: Use published orbital elements and a pass-prediction library, then switch a low-voltage LED lamp. Visible passes also need a clear, dark sky.
Start with the original
Existing project
CAIBI suggestion developed from a source-reviewed catalogue project on 24 Sep 2026; untested
See the original source for its photos and demonstrations. We have not copied imagery without confirmed reuse rights. A source prototype is not a photo of this proposed CAIBI build.
Online services this idea would use
| Used for | Service | Status | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orbit data for pass predictionUsed by default | Fetch at most every two hours; the ISS still has a TLE, but new builds should read OMM. |
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CAIBI suggestion; routes checked 24 Sep 2026. Service terms change; check the provider before relying on one.
Prompts to move it forward
Copy a prompt into your AI tool with the source material and your actual parts. Work through one small step at a time and check the output before using it. Choose an AI tool or practise the skills first.
Check the source before buying
Review the source material I supply for A lamp that lights when the ISS passes over. Make a table of what is provided, missing, contradictory or dependent on a paid service. Identify exact hardware revisions, firmware files, library versions, CAD files and licences. Separate creator claims from your proposed additions. Do not fill gaps with guessed specifications. Finish with one small test that can resolve the biggest uncertainty before I buy parts. Sources: github.com: https://github.com/ISS-Mimic/Mimic
Plan the next step
I want to develop this idea: A lamp that lights when the ISS passes over. Intended outcome: Light a lamp during visible passes of the International Space Station over your location, as a prompt to go outside and look up. The source is https://github.com/ISS-Mimic/Mimic. CAIBI suggests: Use published orbital elements and a pass-prediction library, then switch a low-voltage LED lamp. Visible passes also need a clear, dark sky. First inspect the source I supply. Separate what it already does from proposed additions. Ask for my actual board, parts, skill level and missing files. Produce a small staged plan with one bench test per stage. Do not invent pin assignments, dimensions or completed test results. Sources: github.com: https://github.com/ISS-Mimic/Mimic
Design a measured enclosure
Help me design a practical enclosure for A lamp that lights when the ISS passes over. First ask for measured component dimensions, mounting holes, connectors, cable clearance, ventilation and operating conditions. Suggest a printable or off-the-shelf approach. Begin with a fit-test piece before a complete case. Label assumptions and do not invent an enclosure rating. Sources: github.com: https://github.com/ISS-Mimic/Mimic
Check and document the result
Create a test log for A lamp that lights when the ISS passes over. Intended outcome: Light a lamp during visible passes of the International Space Station over your location, as a prompt to go outside and look up. Separate expected behaviour from observed results. Include power restart, disconnected inputs, communication failure and the actual physical use. Ask me to provide results, firmware versions, changes, photos and unresolved problems. Never mark a test passed without my evidence. Sources: github.com: https://github.com/ISS-Mimic/Mimic
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