PLANET LABS
In 2014, I was invited to participate in what was claimed to be the world's first group exhibition outside of earth's atmosphere. Planet Labs proposed etching artworks on the sides of it's fleet of 'dove' satellites that monitor the Earth's surface within low-earth orbit.
satellite panel in custom jig to level and stabilize the light weight aluminum in the laser cutting machine.
tones were achieved in multiple passes, here’s the detail layer before the outline is added.
finished panels waiting to be shipped sitting in anti-static film.
In 2016, a group of satelites were carried up to the ISS for deployment. The full journey of this project is documented here in this Instructable, and this Video.
model of dove satellite by Planet Labs
watching the launch of doves heading to the ISS
Press coverage of the launch and opening is available here.