Project Aurora Time Capsule (2013)

As part of Save the Arctic, a Greenpeace project to raise awareness about the Arctic and the things that are threatening it, the lab was asked to create an indestructible time capsule. The sphere contains eight cassettes that include, among other things, in super small print (you have to use the microscope included in the package to read it all), the names of nearly 3 million North Pole sympathizers, and the political declaration on the protection of the North Pole that should ensure the status of protected nature reserve. All the cassettes are seawater resistant and should still be readable in 10,000 years. On 7 April 2013, the capsule was placed on the seabed, under the Arctic ice.

The sphere of the capsule is made of high-quality pressure resistant vitrovex glass that becomes even stronger under deep-water pressure. The frame is made of titanium, a very long-lasting inert material. All the bolts and nuts are made of titanium as well. Around the capsule is an inert titanium ring, with the words ‘Another world is not only possible, she in on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing’ inscribed on it. Inside the sphere is a cassette holder, which is also made of titanium. It sits inside a vacuous sphere, enclosing a total of eight cassettes.

After many years, in roughly 2050, the iron will rust, and the capsule will surface. By then we’ll know how we have responded to the threat to climate change.

(photcredits: JL, Greenpeace)