Track ISS Location Automatically with n8n and AWS SQS

What This Automation Does

This n8n workflow tracks the International Space Station's location every minute automatically.
It gets data from a public API, picks needed info, and sends it as a message to an AWS SQS queue.
No manual work is needed once set up, so you get continuous, accurate ISS position data stored safely.

The main problem solved is the need for repeating manual API calls and data copying.
Now, the workflow runs every minute, getting latitude, longitude, name, and timestamp without any errors or missed points.

The output is structured ISS location data stored in Amazon SQS.

Inputs, Processing, and Output

Inputs

• Cron Trigger: Fires every 60 seconds to start the process.
  
• WhereTheISS API: Public HTTP endpoint returning latest satellite position data.
  

Processing Steps

• HTTP Request node: Sends a GET request to the ISS position API, using a timestamp query.
  
• Set node: Extracts and formats important fields like latitude, longitude, timestamp, and name from API response.
  
• AWS SQS node: Sends the formatted ISS data as a JSON message into a specified AWS SQS queue.
  

Output

Messages arrive in the AWS SQS queue containing real-time ISS location data.
This output allows other apps or systems to read and use ISS telemetry consistently and on time.

Tools and Services Used

• n8n Automation Platform: Controls and runs workflow automation.
  
• WhereTheISS API: Provides real-time ISS position data, no authentication needed.
  
• AWS SQS (Simple Queue Service): Stores and queues messages securely and durably.
  
• n8n AWS Credentials node: Holds AWS access key and secret for API permissions.
  

Beginner Step-by-Step: Using This Workflow in n8n Production

Step 1: Import the workflow

1. Click the Download button on this page to save the workflow file to your computer.
   
2. Inside the n8n editor, click on the menu and choose Import from File.
   
3. Select the downloaded file to add the workflow to your n8n instance.
   

Step 2: Configure credentials and variables

1. Open the imported workflow and find the AWS SQS node.
   
2. Add or select your AWS credentials with Access Key and Secret configured to allow sending messages.
   
3. Enter the exact name of your AWS SQS queue where messages should be sent.
   
4. Verify the HTTP Request node URL and parameters are correct (should use timestamp expression).
   

Step 3: Test the workflow

1. Run the full workflow once manually from the editor by clicking the Execute button.
   
2. Confirm a message appears in your AWS SQS queue dashboard with ISS data.
   

Step 4: Activate for production

1. Toggle the workflow Active switch in n8n.
   
2. The Cron node will trigger every minute and run automation continuously.
   
3. If using self-host n8n, make sure the environment is running non-stop for reliability.
   

Customizations and Extensions

• You can add more properties like ISS velocity in the Set node if needed.
  
• Change the Cron node trigger interval to 5 minutes or hourly for less frequent updates.
  
• Add extra nodes such as Email or Slack after AWS SQS to send alerts when new ISS data arrives.
  

Troubleshooting

• Issue: AWS SQS node returns "Access Denied" or credential error.
  Fix: Review and re-enter AWS Access Key and Secret in credentials node.
  Ensure permissions include sending messages to the SQS queue.
  
• Issue: HTTP Request node returns empty or error response.
  Fix: Check the API URL for typos.
  Verify the timestamps parameter uses the correct expression

  =Date.now();

  
  

Pre-Production Checklist

• Confirm AWS credentials and queue name in the AWS SQS node are correct.
  
• Run the HTTP Request node manually to make sure API gives you data.
  
• Execute the full workflow manually and check AWS SQS to see message delivery.
  
• Ensure the Cron node triggers at the interval you set without errors.
  

Deployment Guide

Turn on the workflow by switching it to Active so it runs every minute.
Watch n8n execution logs to catch any errors fast.

Messages will flow into your AWS SQS queue steadily with new ISS location data.
If running using self-host n8n, keep the server running 24/7 for best results.

Summary

✓ The workflow fetches ISS location every minute automatically.
✓ It extracts key data fields and sends them as messages to AWS SQS queue.
✓ No manual steps after setup, making tracking efficient and reliable.
✓ Provides steady, durable data for apps or dashboards to use ISS info.