If you're looking for a fun hardware project I'd recommend a buddy's company. As they don't have a HN account, here is their plug:

Exclosure is building a worldwide networks of space monitoring telescopes. We believe that space is for everyone, and that monitoring is the first step in keeping the outer space environment sustainable. We are actively seeking locations to host our observatories, and can compensate hosts with good viewing locations: https://www.exclosure.io/hosts