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Fluid

Elaborate 3D form derived from processing Cassini orbital data, potentially illuminated from within based on Saturn’s position above the viewer’s location, e.g. NYC.

 

There are 4 probes/spacecraft in human history for exploring Saturn, but only one entered into orbit around Saturn. After working in space for about 20 years, the Cassini spacecraft jumped into the dense atmosphere of Saturn and burned to dash on September 15, 2017. This moment became the only physical contact between humans and Saturn. Cassini’s journey was doomed to end in destruction from the beginning. As life on Earth, the length of life is defined by time and after countless iterations, nothing is left, only time is able to prove our existence.


Analyzed and sorted Cassini’s orbiting data and converted them into X, Y, Z coordinates, generated a CSV file and import it into Fusion 360 to obtain a curve, and then convert this curve into a 3D model. Collecting Saturn’s daily rise and set time data by the specific location on Earth and transforming them into a device to control the LED. LED lights up in sequence every day when Saturn rises. All LEDs will be gradually brighter and they will reach the brightest at the time that Saturn reaches its highest point in the sky. Then the rest of the LEDs continue to light up in turn, but the light will become dimmer. When Saturn falls, the entire device goes out until a new start presents.

Cassini used a 6.7-year Venus-Venus-Earth-Jupiter Gravity Assist (VVEJGA) trajectory to Saturn. Image credit NASA.