API
The Spacebits API is as simple as it can get. All you have to do is call this endpoint URL:
The API will return a JSON structure like the one at end of the page.
We don’t think you’ll need much more info if you’re reading this page, but here are the relevant parts:
The JSON object has 2 objects, track and last. Each object is an array with the available on-air balloons, their Ids and data.
When there’s a flight, this API reflects the very same data we will be receiving live from the balloon’s radio and GSM devices. This is the same API that we use with our internal tools to collect data and track the balloon(s).
track Object
Shows the last 100 GPS points we got from the radio comms.
name – Balloon name. Several balloons supported at the same time.
id – Ballon id. Integer.
radio – Radio comms (high altitude, during the whole flight)
sms – GSM/SMS comms (these will only at low altitude)
“twitter” object. The twitter feed from @flyspacebits
change – Tweet timestamp
description – Tweet text
link – Tweet web link
last Object
Has the data from the last successful measurement of the probe’s sensors and location:
balloon – Balloon name. Several balloons supported at the same time.
id – Ballon id. Integer.
change – The unix timestamp of the last measurement
power_current – Power supply drain current (in amps)
power_voltage – Power supply voltage (in volts)
pressure – Pressure (in hPa)
temperature – Inside (the payload box) temperature (in ºC)
temperature_ext – Outside temperature (in ºC)
humidity – Humidity (in % of water on air)
dust_density – Dust in the air (in mg/m3)
lat – Latitude
lon – Longitude
alt – Altitude (in meters)
bear – Compass heading or bearing (in degrees)
imu_gx,gy,ax,ay,az – Acceleration in all axis (in Gs)
elapsed – Time elapsed from start, current time, last measurement (in HH:MM:SS)
Now, remember, this is the same API we’re using. Be gentle with the polling stress.
Here’s a sample (ignore the values, see the units above):
{
"last": [{
"balloon": "3",
"change": "1287795632",
"power_current": "0.0",
"power_voltage": "0.0",
"pressure": "0.0",
"temperature": "266.0",
"temperature_ext": "-12700.0",
"humidity": "226.0",
"dust_density": "0.0",
"lat": "37.87054",
"lon": "-7.62674",
"alt": "62748.0",
"bear": "0.0",
"imu_gx": "1.0",
"imu_gy": "291.0",
"imu_ax": "356.0",
"imu_ay": "323.0",
"imu_az": "268.0",
"id": 3,
"name": "Spacebits 3",
"elapsed": "06:41:08 17:41:08 01:00:00"
},
{
"balloon": "4",
"change": "1287795606",
"power_current": "0.0",
"power_voltage": "0.0",
"pressure": "1.0",
"temperature": "348.0",
"temperature_ext": "8500.0",
"humidity": "325.0",
"dust_density": "0.0",
"lat": "37.7000",
"lon": "-7.7322",
"alt": "196",
"bear": "0.0",
"imu_gx": "278.0",
"imu_gy": "284.0",
"imu_ax": "347.0",
"imu_ay": "347.0",
"imu_az": "428.0",
"id": 4,
"name": "Spacebits 4",
"elapsed": "06:36:08 17:41:08 01:00:00"
},
{
"balloon": "5",
"change": "1287800021",
"power_current": "0.0",
"power_voltage": "0.0",
"pressure": "-31541.0",
"temperature": "198.0",
"temperature_ext": "-12700.0",
"humidity": "480.0",
"dust_density": "0.0",
"lat": "37.69992",
"lon": "-7.73216",
"alt": "18200.0",
"bear": "64.0",
"imu_gx": "281.0",
"imu_gy": "281.0",
"imu_ax": "341.0",
"imu_ay": "340.0",
"imu_az": "417.0",
"id": 5,
"name": "Spacebits 5",
"elapsed": "06:31:08 17:41:08 01:00:00"
}],
"track": [{
"id": 3,
"name": "Spacebits 3",
"radio": [["37.87054", "-7.62674"], ["37.89435", "-7.63122"], ["37.89556", "-7.63577"], ["37.8956", "-7.6385"], ["37.89785", "-7.65208"], ["37.86339", "-7.72894"], ["37.86185", "-7.73271"], ["37.86051", "-7.73558"], ["37.85912", "-7.73842"], ["37.8578", "-7.7409"], ["37.85637", "-7.74343"], ["37.82994", "-7.76696"], ["37.8277", "-7.76801"], ["37.81117", "-7.77884"], ["37.75928", "-7.82289"], ["37.76045", "-7.82801"], ["37.76238", "-7.83732"], ["37.75985", "-7.84461"], ["37.75865", "-7.84616"], ["37.75543", "-7.85134"], ["37.74911", "-7.86967"], ["37.74794", "-7.88036"], ["37.75067", "-7.89464"], ["37.75112", "-7.89698"], ["37.75141", "-7.89893"], ["37.75183", "-7.90105"], ["37.75228", "-7.90351"], ["37.75317", "-7.90924"], ["37.75324", "-7.91205"], ["37.75309", "-7.91455"], ["37.7528", "-7.91656"], ["37.75226", "-7.91814"], ["37.75157", "-7.91967"], ["37.75085", "-7.9209"], ["37.7503", "-7.92228"], ["37.75014", "-7.92356"], ["37.75044", "-7.92471"], ["37.75094", "-7.92621"], ["37.75172", "-7.92784"], ["37.75282", "-7.92926"], ["37.75401", "-7.93074"], ["37.75536", "-7.93238"], ["37.75671", "-7.93415"], ["37.75784", "-7.93588"], ["37.75903", "-7.93774"], ["37.76123", "-7.94149"], ["37.76225", "-7.9435"], ["37.7632", "-7.94603"], ["37.76396", "-7.94853"], ["37.76462", "-7.95082"], ["37.76535", "-7.95335"], ["37.76586", "-7.95554"], ["37.76635", "-7.95788"], ["37.76784", "-7.97028"], ["37.76802", "-7.97302"], ["37.76811", "-7.98886"], ["37.76992", "-8.00153"], ["37.7752", "-8.01656"], ["37.77862", "-8.02406"], ["37.78207", "-8.03382"], ["37.80851", "-8.0463"], ["37.81753", "-8.05189"], ["37.81866", "-8.05544"], ["37.82082", "-8.06188"], ["37.8305", "-8.06601"], ["37.85907", "-8.04143"], ["37.88165", "-8.01991"], ["37.88627", "-8.02057"], ["37.88703", "-8.02187"], ["38.71014", "-9.14317"], ["37.88891", "-8.02069"]],
"sms": []
},
{
"id": 4,
"name": "Spacebits 4",
"radio": [["37.81306", "-7.7162"], ["37.81551", "-7.71481"], ["37.81632", "-7.71442"], ["37.82219", "-7.70999"], ["37.82469", "-7.70702"], ["37.82616", "-7.70547"], ["37.83193", "-7.701"], ["37.83525", "-7.7014"], ["37.83557", "-7.70237"], ["37.8532", "-7.70809"], ["37.81259", "-7.77918"], ["37.80875", "-7.78111"], ["37.79815", "-7.78804"], ["37.77828", "-7.82133"], ["37.77694", "-7.823"], ["37.74441", "-7.83148"], ["37.74445", "-7.834"], ["37.74465", "-7.83507"], ["37.74167", "-7.87201"], ["37.74115", "-7.87321"], ["37.7389", "-7.87732"], ["37.73956", "-7.90583"], ["37.73997", "-7.90773"], ["37.74172", "-7.92059"], ["37.74491", "-7.94076"], ["37.75087", "-7.94998"], ["37.75343", "-7.95756"], ["37.75698", "-7.98173"], ["37.75955", "-8.01697"], ["37.76116", "-8.02195"], ["37.76617", "-8.03475"], ["37.77076", "-8.04752"], ["37.77725", "-8.06017"], ["37.78063", "-8.06491"], ["37.80738", "-8.05292"], ["37.81768", "-8.06084"], ["37.82017", "-8.06802"], ["37.82049", "-8.06835"], ["37.82744", "-8.06807"], ["37.84116", "-8.05987"], ["37.85093", "-8.04868"], ["37.86014", "-8.039"], ["37.86612", "-8.03283"], ["37.87808", "-8.02285"], ["37.88078", "-8.02142"], ["37.88193", "-8.02063"], ["37.88684", "-8.02124"], ["37.88705", "-8.02163"], ["37.88703", "-8.02157"], ["37.88703", "-8.02161"], ["37.88891", "-8.02069"]],
"sms": [["37.7000", "-7.7322"], ["37.7002", "-7.7321"], ["37.7005", "-7.7320"], ["37.7008", "-7.7319"], ["37.7014", "-7.7318"], ["37.7017", "-7.7318"]]
},
{
"id": 5,
"name": "Spacebits 5",
"radio": [["37.69992", "-7.73216"], ["37.69993", "-7.73217"], ["37.69997", "-7.73212"], ["37.69995", "-7.73214"], ["37.69995", "-7.73215"], ["37.69995", "-7.73216"], ["37.69995", "-7.73217"], ["37.69992", "-7.73215"], ["37.69994", "-7.73229"], ["37.70006", "-7.73213"], ["37.69997", "-7.73229"], ["37.6999", "-7.73253"], ["37.69981", "-7.73242"], ["37.7", "-7.73242"], ["37.69989", "-7.73253"], ["37.69962", "-7.73265"], ["37.69983", "-7.73253"], ["37.69998", "-7.73238"], ["37.69991", "-7.73224"], ["37.69998", "-7.73228"], ["37.70005", "-7.7322"], ["37.70012", "-7.73214"], ["37.70016", "-7.7321"], ["37.69998", "-7.73208"], ["37.70001", "-7.73212"], ["37.70015", "-7.7322"], ["37.70026", "-7.73221"], ["37.70012", "-7.73216"], ["37.69975", "-7.73216"], ["37.69994", "-7.73211"], ["37.7", "-7.7321"], ["37.69992", "-7.73208"], ["37.7", "-7.73213"], ["37.70004", "-7.73211"], ["37.7001", "-7.73209"], ["37.70008", "-7.73208"], ["37.70001", "-7.7321"], ["37.70111", "-7.73191"], ["37.70152", "-7.73182"], ["37.70191", "-7.73171"], ["37.70221", "-7.73154"], ["37.70248", "-7.7313"], ["37.70268", "-7.73114"], ["37.70297", "-7.73101"], ["37.70322", "-7.73088"], ["37.70351", "-7.73069"], ["37.70374", "-7.73055"], ["37.70397", "-7.73013"], ["37.70453", "-7.72981"], ["37.70549", "-7.72975"], ["37.70644", "-7.72962"], ["37.70745", "-7.72919"], ["37.70924", "-7.72825"], ["37.71082", "-7.72724"], ["37.71261", "-7.72643"], ["37.71549", "-7.72527"], ["37.71664", "-7.72466"], ["37.71832", "-7.72351"], ["37.71899", "-7.72309"], ["37.71974", "-7.72233"], ["37.73032", "-7.71165"], ["37.73316", "-7.70867"], ["37.73445", "-7.70694"], ["37.73729", "-7.70442"], ["37.73886", "-7.70379"], ["37.74155", "-7.70327"], ["37.74238", "-7.70353"], ["37.74329", "-7.70361"], ["37.74437", "-7.70363"], ["37.74523", "-7.7036"], ["37.74574", "-7.70358"], ["37.7483", "-7.70705"], ["37.75015", "-7.70926"], ["37.75259", "-7.70973"], ["37.75419", "-7.70966"], ["37.75659", "-7.70903"], ["37.75863", "-7.70772"], ["37.76069", "-7.70658"], ["37.76271", "-7.70549"], ["37.76491", "-7.70405"], ["37.76725", "-7.70302"], ["37.76788", "-7.70316"], ["37.77061", "-7.70632"], ["37.77307", "-7.70957"], ["37.77484", "-7.71326"], ["37.77584", "-7.71557"], ["37.77678", "-7.7173"], ["37.7781", "-7.72176"], ["37.77849", "-7.72392"], ["37.77894", "-7.72628"], ["37.77923", "-7.72922"], ["37.7795", "-7.73171"], ["37.77969", "-7.7343"], ["37.78021", "-7.73717"], ["37.78053", "-7.73992"], ["37.7814", "-7.74214"], ["37.78211", "-7.74373"], ["37.78255", "-7.74532"], ["37.78194", "-7.74735"], ["37.7821", "-7.74986"], ["37.78281", "-7.75211"], ["37.78341", "-7.75498"], ["37.78336", "-7.75605"], ["37.78339", "-7.75864"], ["37.78291", "-7.75984"], ["37.78253", "-7.76141"], ["37.77991", "-7.76278"], ["37.77788", "-7.76396"], ["37.77649", "-7.76644"], ["37.77543", "-7.7682"], ["37.77422", "-7.76973"], ["37.77284", "-7.7717"], ["37.77163", "-7.77318"], ["37.7704", "-7.77507"], ["37.76844", "-7.77909"], ["37.76703", "-7.78082"], ["37.76601", "-7.783"], ["37.76494", "-7.78564"], ["37.76396", "-7.78804"], ["37.76276", "-7.78987"], ["37.76149", "-7.7918"], ["37.76022", "-7.7936"], ["37.75936", "-7.79599"], ["37.75835", "-7.7985"], ["37.75716", "-7.80114"], ["37.75611", "-7.80366"], ["37.75479", "-7.80626"], ["37.75168", "-7.80984"], ["37.74731", "-7.8121"], ["37.74259", "-7.81433"], ["37.73811", "-7.81592"], ["37.73597", "-7.81697"], ["37.73387", "-7.81758"], ["37.73176", "-7.8178"], ["37.72968", "-7.81778"], ["37.72813", "-7.81746"], ["37.72667", "-7.81645"], ["37.72533", "-7.81594"], ["37.72389", "-7.8158"], ["37.72234", "-7.81564"], ["37.72037", "-7.8157"], ["37.71858", "-7.81595"], ["37.71763", "-7.81634"], ["37.71713", "-7.81659"], ["37.71693", "-7.81674"], ["37.71769", "-7.81691"], ["37.71745", "-7.81709"], ["37.71687", "-7.81762"], ["37.71675", "-7.8185"], ["37.71676", "-7.81984"], ["37.71689", "-7.82081"], ["37.71727", "-7.82192"], ["37.71786", "-7.82313"], ["37.71839", "-7.82484"], ["37.7185", "-7.82626"], ["37.7182", "-7.828"], ["37.71772", "-7.82964"], ["37.71527", "-7.83556"], ["37.71428", "-7.83741"], ["37.71361", "-7.83892"], ["37.71316", "-7.84044"], ["37.7126", "-7.842"], ["37.71197", "-7.84462"], ["37.71217", "-7.84565"], ["37.71258", "-7.84681"], ["37.71477", "-7.85241"], ["37.71483", "-7.85429"], ["37.71447", "-7.85585"], ["37.71401", "-7.85732"], ["37.71294", "-7.85956"], ["37.71243", "-7.86027"], ["37.7119", "-7.86366"], ["37.71161", "-7.86506"], ["37.71106", "-7.86747"], ["37.71078", "-7.86822"], ["37.71079", "-7.86874"], ["37.71089", "-7.86925"], ["37.71121", "-7.87023"], ["37.71116", "-7.87444"], ["37.71099", "-7.87602"], ["37.71071", "-7.87747"], ["37.71116", "-7.8797"], ["37.71191", "-7.88076"], ["37.71266", "-7.88215"], ["37.71323", "-7.88363"], ["37.71412", "-7.88555"], ["37.71477", "-7.8878"], ["37.7153", "-7.89017"], ["37.71582", "-7.89196"], ["37.71727", "-7.89705"], ["37.7178", "-7.90008"], ["37.71813", "-7.90279"], ["37.71829", "-7.90554"], ["37.71822", "-7.90764"], ["37.71693", "-7.91104"], ["37.71619", "-7.91262"], ["37.71587", "-7.9139"], ["37.71591", "-7.91561"], ["37.71598", "-7.91705"], ["37.71637", "-7.91857"], ["37.7181", "-7.92103"], ["37.72004", "-7.92391"], ["37.72088", "-7.92502"], ["37.72216", "-7.92669"], ["37.72324", "-7.92819"], ["37.72457", "-7.93001"], ["37.72584", "-7.93226"], ["37.72765", "-7.93732"], ["37.72822", "-7.9396"], ["37.72887", "-7.94193"], ["37.72934", "-7.94416"], ["37.72997", "-7.94905"], ["37.73079", "-7.95495"], ["37.73129", "-7.95831"], ["37.73162", "-7.96155"], ["37.73191", "-7.96467"], ["37.7323", "-7.96717"], ["37.73265", "-7.96984"], ["37.73282", "-7.97269"], ["37.73291", "-7.97572"], ["37.73308", "-7.97835"], ["37.73333", "-7.98113"], ["37.73326", "-7.98685"], ["37.73312", "-7.99275"], ["37.7336", "-8.00037"], ["37.73425", "-8.00284"], ["37.73525", "-8.00727"], ["37.73575", "-8.00954"], ["37.73738", "-8.01414"], ["37.73941", "-8.0193"], ["37.74017", "-8.02184"], ["37.7407", "-8.02372"], ["37.74228", "-8.02809"], ["37.74304", "-8.03001"], ["37.74383", "-8.03164"], ["37.74639", "-8.03691"], ["37.74739", "-8.03882"], ["37.74899", "-8.043"], ["37.74987", "-8.04534"], ["37.75058", "-8.04712"], ["37.75157", "-8.05134"], ["37.76988", "-8.07686"], ["37.77108", "-8.07672"], ["37.77241", "-8.07644"], ["37.775", "-8.07444"], ["37.7763", "-8.07347"], ["37.77787", "-8.07201"], ["37.78171", "-8.06868"], ["37.78404", "-8.06671"], ["37.7863", "-8.06499"], ["37.78826", "-8.06414"], ["37.79297", "-8.0615"], ["37.79539", "-8.06039"], ["37.80409", "-8.05895"], ["37.80588", "-8.05846"], ["37.80737", "-8.05831"], ["37.80938", "-8.05943"], ["37.81014", "-8.05962"], ["37.81112", "-8.0602"], ["37.81146", "-8.06115"], ["37.81173", "-8.06222"], ["37.81272", "-8.06348"], ["37.81409", "-8.06459"], ["37.81459", "-8.06546"], ["37.8155", "-8.06663"], ["37.81581", "-8.06701"], ["37.81616", "-8.06822"], ["37.81595", "-8.06883"], ["37.8162", "-8.06958"], ["37.81643", "-8.07105"], ["37.81875", "-8.07215"], ["37.81919", "-8.07174"], ["37.82024", "-8.07172"], ["37.82102", "-8.07194"], ["37.82206", "-8.07168"], ["37.82405", "-8.07106"], ["37.82514", "-8.07091"], ["37.82546", "-8.07066"], ["37.82681", "-8.06986"], ["37.8276", "-8.06937"], ["37.82995", "-8.06829"], ["37.83536", "-8.06558"], ["37.83678", "-8.06436"], ["37.83829", "-8.06272"], ["37.83955", "-8.06109"], ["37.84105", "-8.05935"], ["37.84225", "-8.05775"], ["37.84394", "-8.0559"], ["37.84537", "-8.05418"], ["37.84677", "-8.05281"], ["37.84822", "-8.05118"], ["37.84927", "-8.0498"], ["37.85064", "-8.04803"], ["37.85181", "-8.0464"], ["37.85477", "-8.04287"], ["37.85889", "-8.0395"], ["37.86022", "-8.03785"], ["37.86174", "-8.0362"], ["37.86471", "-8.03393"], ["37.86566", "-8.03347"]],
"sms": []
}],
"twitter": [{
"change": "1306313100",
"description": "We're immune to ashes and Iceland volcanoes :)",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/73308723015188480"
},
{
"change": "1306279380",
"description": "6th flight, open invitation http:\/\/t.co\/h2OkBHu<\/a>",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/73167145583915009"
},
{
"change": "1306278960",
"description": "@isacosta :P",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/73165469405806592"
},
{
"change": "1306278840",
"description": "Whoops",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/73165002839826432"
},
{
"change": "1306161420",
"description": "@BaiaVieira for the hunt? public!",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/72672524005146624"
},
{
"change": "1306160520",
"description": "@pedromelo Soo?",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/72668833135079424"
},
{
"change": "1306142160",
"description": "@Zzay we have a plan for that :) let's just say we'll use 3 ground stations this time.",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/72591649582227456"
},
{
"change": "1306141620",
"description": "@mramos29 bring water! :)",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/72589454270935040"
},
{
"change": "1306141440",
"description": "@mramos29 Torre :)",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/72588596892270592"
},
{
"change": "1306141200",
"description": "Authorization request for our 6th flight (at Serra da Estrela, on the 26th of June) sent to INAC",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/72587603483967488"
},
{
"change": "1305881880",
"description": "RT @geofftuttle",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/71500110319730688"
},
{
"change": "1305555900",
"description": "Pfff, peanuts http:\/\/t.co\/x1cNctI<\/a>",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/70132867598008320"
},
{
"change": "1304432340",
"description": "Awesome project http:\/\/t.co\/p1B5Ls9<\/a>",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/65420244356837376"
},
{
"change": "1304368860",
"description": "Our website is up again, thanks to those who reported.",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/65154068879917056"
},
{
"change": "1303399140",
"description": "@andr3 @isacosta @cdeath :)",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/61086780698537985"
},
{
"change": "1303398300",
"description": "@isacosta game on? :)",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/61083237887385600"
},
{
"change": "1303392600",
"description": "Pondering new challenges for June with the team http:\/\/t.co\/qA1a6dU<\/a> :)",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/61059340794212352"
},
{
"change": "1303324500",
"description": "One of our friends @dbcm forked spacebits into underwater http:\/\/t.co\/CnOXhz9<\/a>",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/60773658871857152"
},
{
"change": "1302813540",
"description": "Interesting satellite GPS messenger service that works up to 6500m for low cost HAB projects http:\/\/t.co\/3BZADXx<\/a>",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/58630477342449665"
},
{
"change": "1300045740",
"description": "Spacebits flights 3, 4 and 5. Enjoy the video. http:\/\/t.co\/JRMUdqc<\/a>",
"link": "http:\/\/twitter.com\/flyspacebits\/statuses\/47021502687739906"
}]
}
Applications that use this API
- Miguel Duarte made a Spacebits Tracking application for Android.
- Our own web based live dashboard.