# Held in Orbit
Independent Studio Extension by Yangyang Li, 23 October 2026.

## Source anchors
3D Bubble (2014): transparent spheres, dark reflective cores, slender white orbital ribbons, unequal scale, asymmetrical clustering and a monochrome luminous field. Original media and the prior Surface Tension chapter remain unchanged and first.

## Product hypothesis
Adult collector's kinetic desk object. Initial mock-up envelope: approximately 230 mm-wide base and 170 mm enclosure. These are design targets, not image-derived dimensions or validated specifications.

One fixed central lens. One rotating annular carrier. Three captive spheres with fixed unequal spacing. A lower wheel is the intended hand input; a clear front guard separates moving parts from casual contact. Rear support, transmission, bearings, retention and service cover need physical development. A friction or geared drive must be chosen by testing, not inferred from the render.

## Routes considered
- Loose marbles: optically simple, poor retention and storage.
- Exposed multi-axis armillary: expressive, too many hoops and accessible moving interfaces.
- Enclosed single-carrier system: chosen for a readable movement rule and a contained handling zone.

## Prototype gates
1. Full-size card/foam envelope: reach, clearance, base stability.
2. Opaque carrier: turning force, slip, wear, sphere and carrier retention.
3. Guard and wheel recess: access, pinch points, collision envelope, impact.
4. Optical samples: scratch resistance, seams, dust, cleaning and reflection control.
5. Qualified product review before material commitment, age grading or sale.

## Delivered and not delivered
One AI-assisted application render, one browser-controlled kinematic composition study, and this brief. The study is a simplified 2D projection, not a physical simulation or a twelve-view turntable. No CAD, manufacturing tolerances, printable geometry, certified toy or functioning hardware is supplied.