Peter Müller's "SMOLSAT 1" Is a Tiny Communications Satellite Sculpture, Inspired by Mohit Bhoite
Built from brass wire, this freeform circuit sculpture blinks out its message as its solar panel wings charge up a capacitor.
User experience engineer Peter Müller has put together a tiny satellite sculpture, dubbed SMOLSAT 1, inspired by the work of Mohit Bhoite.
Bhoite's freeform circuit sculptures, which use solid metal wire as both the circuit traces and as supporting structure, are undeniably eye-catching: His most recent work, a timer inspired by the lunar lander, joins a varied collection including a freeform FM radio, a desktop VU meter, a seven-segment counter, and the terribly cute Chintoo robot — upgraded last year to add an endearing head-tilting ability.
Müller is counted among Bhoite's fans, and set about building something of his own using the same approach: SMOLSAT 1, a tiny satellite capable of sitting in the palm of your hand.
The wings of the satellite are fully-functional IXYS SM111K06L monocrystalline solar panels, connected to a Microchip ATtiny85 microcontroller via a 10F 3V capacitor. When there's enough light, the microcontroller springs into life and starts communicating with the outside world via a single white LED.
More information on the project is available on Müller's Twitter thread, including a circuit diagram.