
Professor Takushi Tanaka and his team at the Fukuoka Institute of Technology built a 10 centimeter cube-shaped micro-satellite called the FITSAT-1. It was deployed from the International Space Station on October 5, 2012 and is currently whizzing over our heads at an elevation of 242 miles. It’s equipped with high-powered LEDs are blinking the following message: …. .. / – …. .. … / .. … / -. .. .– .- -.- .- / .— .- .–. .- -. (“Hi this is Niwaka Japan”).
Element14 has more:
Those interested in seeing the code flashed across the sky the satellite will be on a trajectory of 51.6 degrees south latitude and 51.6 degrees north latitude (from the equator) which is almost identical to that of the ISS (which I guess you could use as a point of reference). Those interested in hearing the Morse code and have the necessary technology can tune in to the satellites frequency beacon of 437.250MHz. The fly-over schedule for dates or times will be posted on the Fukuoka Institute of Technology’s website sometime later this month (October, 2012).
In case you are wondering, the word Niwaka, in a local dialect of southwestern Japan, refers to impromptu comical dialog done while wearing a peculiar sad-eyed mask.










Just in time for the 50th anniversary of the LED!
http://gizmodo.com/5950131/the-led-as-we-know-it-is-50-years-old-today
Your morse got distorted. “H” was changed to an ellipsis plus a dit and the dahs all ran together.
// What's Trending
Raspberry Pi Design Contest
Dad Builds Son an Iron Man Arc Reactor
Teardrop Camper Trailer
Seventeen Sneaky Secret Hides
What to do with an 800 Lb Eucalyptus Slab
10 Things to Connect to Your Raspberry Pi
3D Printed Kinetic iPhone Cases
// What's Shared
A better way to slice a pumpkin
DIY Nerf Darts
100 Dollar Store Organization Ideas for Craft Rooms and Beyond
In the Maker Shed: Minty Boost USB Charger
Mad’s Mouse House
Lace Princess Crowns
I Have a (Puzzling) Dream
Play the Rings of a Tree Trunk Like a Record
// Most Commented
Plastic Bags into Plastic Blocks: Revisited
10 Hot New Boards to Watch
Why the Maker Movement is Here to Stay
MAKE Asks: Roadside Hacks
DIY Hacks & How To’s: Convert From Battery Power to AC
Ten Tips for Hand Saws and Blades
How To Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
What to do with an 800 Lb Eucalyptus Slab