(Outer) Space Echo. Does your music reach geostationary orbit?

The (Outer) Space Echo project aims to bring audio effects which truly have been to "space" to your sitting room. Space is everywhere. It is between you and me, but most of it is over 35,000 kilometres away.

To our knowledge this is the first attempt (in our part of space) to use the phyiscal time it takes a radio signal to traverse the gap of outer space to provide the storage time nescessary to provide a repetitive audio gap recognised by many ears as an echo.

Traditionally audio echo units and reverberation units have used energy storage devices such as analogue tape, spring lines, large rooms and more recently digital memory to provide varying amounts of delay.

We are using the gap between earth and the band around the planet known as geostationary orbit, at a distance of 35,900 kilometres away from the majority of the inhabitants of earth. It seems the boundary between the Earths atmosphere and Space is a contested one, thus the name (Outer) Space Echo may one day have to be changed to Exosphere Echo.

In order to get audio to traverse this divide we are going to have to chop it up into many tiny pieces, turn it into a stream of ones and noughts (binary) and then modulate this over a microwave radio signal, bounce it off a satellite and receive it again, demodulate, "debinary", and mix back in to the original signal so that it may proceed back out to space again. Fortunately other people have already made the equipment and software to make this possbile.

It would be possible to use an audio signal modulated over a radio signal, but we do not have the expensive kit of the kind operated by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). If the population of Britain decided to pay us the licensing fee, we could put a change to this situation. Anyway I digress, we have got the equipment to do this, it is just slight overkill; a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

The theory

Geostationary orbit is the name given to the position above the planet at which an object will "hover" without either "falling" toward the planet or spiralling off deeper into space and being "lost" forever. Thus many satellites are placed there, and prove very useful to the global telecommunications industry.

These satellites are a long way away, 35,900 kilometres (24,544 miles). At the speed of light, 299,792,458 metres per second (186,282 miles per hour), it takes 0.13 seconds to reach the satellite from where I am sat. To get there and back (assuming you could turn round quickly) it would take 0.26 seconds. To get there and back twice it would take just over half a second. This is the half second we wish to utilise.

Just for comparison if you did the same journey at the speed of sound, around 330 metres per second, it would take you about 5 days, but again I digress. Thus we will send our sound as digital over radio; meaning our music will travel at about the speed of light and will be back shortly.

The practice

After a previous test a while back on Radio Vague, the Space Echo (fondly known by some as the Cosmic Echo) was first performed live at the Hes Fes 2005 on 2005-05-19 at 01.30 GMT by the irrepresible and obscurely eccentric English space-rock band SPAND. Live footage is available just below. Make sure you download the right file for your system, else you might be disappointed.

• Download spaceecho.mov (10MB) : MOV format (MPEG 4 video and μLaw audio) for Quick Time Player - Windows and Mac or Xine - Linux and FreeBSD
• Download spaceecho.avi (22.5MB): AVI (Cinepak video and μLaw audio) format for virtually anything else, but not great quality and larger, go for the MOV if you can.

Bonus track: see SPAND play the classic "Fishfingers"

• Download fishfingers.mov (18.1MB) : MOV format (MPEG 4 video and μLaw audio)
• Download fishfingers.avi (42.1MB): AVI (Cinepak video and μLaw audio) format

Server map

The route through the atmosphere, outer space and cyberspace

This is the traceroute for half of the journey from the streaming source to the streaming server.

traceroute to sputnik.psand.net (66.135.32.8), 30 hops max, 38 byte packets
 1  barbie.radiovague.com (192.168.100.x)  1.762 ms  1.717 ms  1.704 ms
 2  84.254.172.9 (84.254.172.9)  2.255 ms  2.528 ms  2.260 ms
 3  172.16.14.25 (172.16.14.25)  690.179 ms  660.002 ms  632.880 ms
 4  172.16.14.54 (172.16.14.54)  639.951 ms  641.495 ms  628.564 ms
 5  172.16.224.14 (172.16.224.14)  646.301 ms  668.520 ms  647.245 ms
 6  172.16.212.14 (172.16.212.14)  647.746 ms  663.012 ms  636.590 ms
 7  ip253net160.skylogicnet.it (213.209.160.253)  641.698 ms  631.903 ms  635.696 ms
 8  213.215.160.13 (213.215.160.13)  638.889 ms  635.393 ms  639.404 ms
 9  213.215.161.65 (213.215.161.65)  688.064 ms  671.209 ms  637.474 ms
10  pos1-3-cr2.NYC.router.COLT.NET (212.74.74.21)  747.369 ms  741.517 ms  773.359 ms
11  12.126.124.85 (12.126.124.85)  787.557 ms  804.959 ms  741.920 ms
12  tbr2-p010401.n54ny.ip.att.net (12.123.3.5)  790.109 ms  771.908 ms  768.618 ms
13  ggr1-p370.n54ny.ip.att.net (12.123.1.125)  774.926 ms  793.806 ms  757.168 ms
14  206.111.13.5 (206.111.13.5)  768.418 ms  816.525 ms  748.509 ms
15  p5-0-0.RAR1.NYC-NY.us.xo.net (65.106.3.37)  768.042 ms  741.251 ms  772.664 ms
16  p6-0-0.RAR2.Chicago-IL.us.xo.net (65.106.0.29)  794.858 ms  759.988 ms  781.092 ms
17  p1-0-0.RAR1.Dallas-TX.us.xo.net (65.106.0.34)  789.192 ms  2520.155 ms  826.678 ms
18  p4-1-0.MAR1.Austin-TX.us.xo.net (65.106.4.150)  824.147 ms  815.030 ms  833.535 ms
19  ge2-0.CHR1.SanAntonio2-TX.us.xo.net (64.1.2.35)  815.427 ms  830.554 ms  823.886 ms
20  209.49.35.18 (209.49.35.18)  809.646 ms  818.714 ms  812.170 ms
21  * * *
22  sputnik.psand.net (66.135.32.8)  812.460 ms  808.705 ms  822.216 ms

SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. SPAND : (Gone to) Space Band. "A bizzarely eccentric mixture of overly complicated technology." - Observer. "The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber. "The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber. "The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber."The Space Echo... a truly cosmic experience..." - Andrew Lloyd Weber. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. Strangely enough the SPAND BAND is also 455-2475MHz. folk rock electronic hiphop improvised space funk funsion guitars voices Marge Simpson wig blue cupcake samples reverb reverberating reverberation varritas de meluza volando en el espacio cyberpunk psyberspacemusic psyberjuve phatt mix folk rock electronic hiphop improvised space funk funsion guitars voices Marge Simpson wig blue cupcake samples reverb reverberating reverberation varritas de meluza volando en el espacio cyberpunk psyberspacemusic psyberjuve phatt mix folk rock electronic hiphop improvised space funk funsion guitars voices Marge Simpson wig blue cupcake samples reverb reverberating reverberation varritas de meluza volando en el espacio cyberpunk psyberspacemusic psyberjuve phatt mix folk rock electronic hiphop improvised space funk funsion guitars voices Marge Simpson wig blue cupcake samples reverb reverberating reverberation varritas de meluza volando en el espacio cyberpunk psyberspacemusic psyberjuve phatt mix folk rock electronic hiphop improvised space funk funsion guitars voices Marge Simpson wig blue cupcake samples reverb reverberating reverberation varritas de meluza volando en el espacio cyberpunk psyberspacemusic psyberjuve phatt mix folk rock electronic hiphop improvised space funk funsion guitars voices Marge Simpson wig blue cupcake samples reverb reverberating reverberation varritas de meluza volando en el espacio cyberpunk psyberspacemusic psyberjuve phatt mix