OrbitClock – a Tiny Space IoT Environmental Clock

The OrbitClock operates by integrating microcontroller processing, wireless networking, local environmental sensing, and visual output into a compact, battery-powered IoT device. At the heart of the system is the DFRobot Beetle ESP32-C3, which utilizes its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities to connect to a local wireless network. Once connected, the microcontroller queries a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server over the internet to retrieve accurate, synchronized time data without requiring an onboard Real-Time Clock module. Simultaneously, the DFRobot SHTC3 sensor interfaces with the ESP32-C3 to continuously measure ambient temperature and relative humidity. The SHTC3 communicates its environmental readings to the microcontroller using the I2C protocol, allowing the system to process both time and sensor metrics concurrently. After formatting this data, the ESP32-C3 drives a small 0.91-inch OLED display to render the current time alongside the live environmental statistics. All of these electronic components—including the microcontroller, sensor, display, and a compact 350 mAh lithium polymer battery providing untethered portable power—are housed securely inside a custom satellite-inspired enclosure built from 3D printed parts, specifically Housing.stl, Cover.stl, and Legs.stl. Programming and software deployment are handled via the Arduino IDE or a compatible ESP32-C3 development environment, while the mechanical structure can be optionally modified using Autodesk Fusion 360.