Cosmusica is an interactive art satellite that transforms real-time space data into music. It uses electromagnetic wave data captured from celestial bodies and translates it into an evolving symphony, allowing humans to engage with the sounds of the cosmos in real-time.
POSITION
Founder @ Cosinfinity
TIMELINE
Dec, 2020 - Jun, 2021
TOOL
The outer space is silent above.
Can we hear its song?
A symphony composed by the cosmos itself?
Cosmusica was born from these questions, aiming to reveal the hidden music of the universe by transforming celestial data into a cosmic symphony. This project brings together art, science, and technology, turning the silent movements of planets into a sensory experience for humans on Earth.
Inspired by quantum entanglement, I imagined an interface where events in outer space could synchronize with interactions on Earth, creating a real-time connection between the cosmos and people.
Launched into sun-synchronous orbit
On December 17, 2023, the Cosmusica Art Satellite was successfully launched into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, entering a sun-synchronous orbit at 500 km. In this mission, Cosmusica was exposed directly to the space environment, recording its trajectory in microgravity.
Images from the launch site
Material & Structural Design
Iterating Toward a Cosmic Symphony
STEP1-
Data Collection
The journey began with gathering cosmic ray data from spacecraft like Chang’e-2 and converting it into sound.
STEP2-Harmonizing Electromagnetic Data
I analyzed patterns in planetary timbres to harmonize the fragmented electromagnetic wave data, creating unique musical layers for each planet.
STEP3-Refining Planetary Sound Bases
By radarizing the visible light spectrum of each planet, I created distinct timbres. These were combined with the initial sound base, adding more objectivity to the composition.
STEP4-Mapping Planetary Music
Finally, the sounds were mapped onto the conductor ball’s movement, where the Y-axis controls pitch and the XZ plane reflects rhythm and timbre, mirroring the solar system’s layout.
Earth’s Dynamic Melody: Real-Time Radio Signals
While the cosmos plays its own symphony, Earth’s music comes from its dynamic, real-time radio signals collected by the Cosmusica satellite. These signals evolve continuously, reflecting the pulse of human communication and adding a unique, changing layer to the cosmic soundscape.
Exhibition Installation: Simulating Weightless Movement
Simulating the ball’s weightless motion for exhibitions involved a combination of servo motor control and pulse control systems. The ball’s movement, suspended by four ropes, created the illusion of weightlessness, with real-time synchronization via TCP and UDP protocols. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) ensured smooth, precise movement, enhancing the audience’s sensory experience.
Featured on CCTV, CGTV, VOGUE and other major platforms, Cosmusica received over 200 million media reports and engaged 10 million+ visitors through exhibitions, offering an innovative bridge between outer space and human creativity.
I continue to explore new possibilities. For instance, I’ve now added tracking points to dice for the next version, aiming to capture even more movement data and trigger playful interactions. Through this project, I’ve learned that with curiosity and perseverance, even the most ambitious ideas can be realized.
Cosmusica is displayed in two formats, offering a blend of real-time interaction and artistic immersion:
2021 Sci-Ficene Exhibition
2021 Sound Landscape Exhibition
