Weather Imaging CubeSat For Real Time Environmental Monitoring

The MicroSat Weather Observer is a compact CubeSat prototype designed for real-time environmental monitoring and weather observation from low Earth orbit (LEO). It integrates a set of sensors, including a high-resolution camera, infrared (IR) sensor, temperature sensor, and magnetometer, managed by an STM32 microcontroller. The system operates on solar power with energy stored in a rechargeable battery, enabling autonomous data acquisition during its orbit. MWO captures Earth images and environmental parameters, processes them onboard using simple image filtering algorithms, and compresses the data to optimize bandwidth. The processed data is transmitted to a ground station via a 2.4 GHz RF link, where it is displayed for further analysis. The project focuses on efficient power management, robust communication, and intelligent data selection, simulating real satellite functionalities. This work provides hands-on experience in satellite systems development, demonstrating how CubeSats can contribute to environmental research and space technology. It highlights the potential of integrating intelligent features such as onboard decision- making and energy-efficient designs in small-scale space missions.