This ESP32-S3 build lets you monitor overhead flights and space launches from your desk

Published Aug 3, 2026, 1:18 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary This ESP32-S3 screen shows live nearby aircraft with type-specific icons and detailed views. You can lock onto a flight and track it on a world map with custom 6- to 12-hour projections. It also shows the weather and an animated radar, plus launch tracking for NASA, Roscosmos, and SpaceX. It has been an excellent past few weeks for anyone who loves gadgets and airplanes. We've covered a few flight trackers in the past, and our own Adam Conway took a crack at making his own for $20. Fortunately, it looks like even more are being made, and this one can even track space flights. The ESP32-S3 Aerospace Tracker tracks everything that soars above you Air and space alike On the ESP32 subreddit, Vadmalis showed off what they've been making over the last four evenings. It uses an ESP32-S3 touch AMOLED board to show every flight that's passing in a local area. If you want, you can tell it to lock onto a specific flight and track it as it makes its way through the sky. And if you want to go even higher than that, this little device can even keep tabs on space launches. Here's a quick rundown on the main things it can do: Live nearby-aircraft radar with type-specific icons and detailed views Selected-flight tracking with world-map and custom 6-to-12 projections Weather, forecast, and animated weather radar NASA, Roscosmos, SpaceX crewed and Starship launch tracking The bad news is, the creator hasn't released the source code for this project just yet. Once they do, you'll need a Mac to make it, because Vadmalis built this on macOS. However, the creator did link the board and the dock, so you can make your own if you want to. And if you'd like something you can build right now, we recently covered this touchscreen ESP32 flight tracker you could make.