Automated ISS Location Updates to MQTT Topic via n8n Workflow

Overview

This workflow automates the process of retrieving the International Space Station's (ISS) current location and publishing the data to an MQTT topic. It leverages n8n's scheduling, HTTP, data transformation, and MQTT integration capabilities.

Key Features

• Automated Scheduling: Uses a Cron node to trigger the workflow at defined intervals.
• Live Data Retrieval: Fetches real-time ISS location data via an HTTP Request node from a public API.
• Data Preparation: Utilizes a Set node to format and structure the data for MQTT publishing.
• MQTT Integration: Publishes the processed location data to a specified MQTT topic for downstream consumption.

Benefits

• Real-Time Updates: Ensures timely and accurate ISS location information is always available to subscribers.
• Seamless Integration: Bridges external APIs with MQTT infrastructure, enabling IoT and messaging workflows.
• Time Savings: Eliminates manual data fetching and publishing, reducing operational overhead.

Use Cases

• IoT Dashboards: Feed live ISS location data to IoT dashboards or smart devices.
• Educational Tools: Provide real-time space station tracking for educational platforms.
• Notification Systems: Trigger alerts or visualizations based on ISS proximity or movement.

This workflow demonstrates the power of n8n for integrating external data sources with messaging protocols, enhancing automation and data-driven applications.