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One of my favorite all time movie sequences occurs in 2001 - A Space Odyssey, the Strauss accompanied waltz of satellites and a docking in earth orbit. Even looking at it now, it is amazing what was accomplished filming models against a still photograph. The second satellite shown in that sequence has always struck me in that it gave a realistic representation and feeling of what it means to be in orbit, that is the feeling of falling. A satellite in orbit constantly falls around the earth.

Here, Chris Meaney, having the advantage of being able to use computer power that Kubrick did not have available, has replicated that scene from 2001, using his conception of the AQUARIUS spacecraft. The feeling of falling in orbit is caught beautifully. Most scientific and engineering animations stay (understandably) focused on the satellite, and it looks like the earth is spinning quickly below the satellite. Chris's lighting and reflection models are particularly striking in this sequence. You can view the entire 10 second, 720 x 486 QuickTime animation by clicking on the picture above or the link below. Note that the animation file is somewhat large, 7.76 MB.

- David Adamec

Quicktime Movie, 7.7 MB, opens in a new window

Go to the Aquarius VRML Page

The Conveyor Belt - Shaken Not Stirred Page

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