 Item number SCP-736 Object Class Keter Special Containment Procedures Direct observation of SCP-736 is to be coordinated through Foundation Intelligence Assets in the European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, China National Space Administration, and the Russian Federal Space Agency. The next mission for close observation of SCP-736 is scheduled for 2022 and is designed to be a clandestine science objective for the European Space Agency's Jupiter-Ice Moon Explorer project. Ground-based telescope observations of Iapetus in the Saturnian system is to be maintained at all times. All major astrophysics research centers and universities are to be monitored by the Foundation Office of Celestial Anomalies. For awareness of SCP-736, during SCP-736 events, internet traffic is to be monitored for reports of irregularities in Iapetus's orbit. In cases where non-Foundation researchers have identified SCP-736, amnestics and information suppression protocols are authorized to prevent widespread knowledge in the scientific community. Description SCP-736 is an anomaly affecting the Saturnian Moon Iapetus. For brief periods generally lasting several days, Iapetus's orbit is spontaneously altered by measures of eccentricity, orbital period, or both. The orbit of Iapetus returns to its documented state after these spontaneous changes. Examples of temporary orbits almost entirely consist of Iapetus undergoing orbital decay, and in most scenarios, is projected to collide with Saturn, and, depending on the projection, other Saturnian moons, at some point within the next 150 to 300 years. These projected orbits are all in direct violation of mathematical models, and both classical and relativistic physical principles, which do not predict a decay in the orbit of Iapetus due to tidal effects or gravitational radiation. Additionally, changes in Iapetus's eccentricity and orbital period do not proceed in a constant manner. Instead, these changes happen at different rates, and at relatively large intervals. Since analysis of SCP-736 began in 2007, researchers have recorded 159 variations in the rate of Iapetus's orbital decay. Statistical analysis of trends in the changes to SCP-736 and the various results of computer modeling of Iapetus's orbit has revealed that changes in its orbital decay do not occur randomly. Instead, variances have occurred in groups, centered around what appears to be a central set of numerical values, and a series of calibrations to achieve them. To date, eight discrete orbits have been observed for Iapetus. SCP-736 is believed to be directed by an intelligent entity. On September 10, 2007, during the Cassini-Huygens flyby of Iapetus, the spacecraft was contacted by a then unknown source of radio transmissions. Telemetry analysis revealed the source to be located on the surface of Iapetus. Recent assets within NASA immediately seized information transmitted from the source, and commenced an information suppression campaign. Approximately 8.2 terabytes of data were transmitted from the surface of Iapetus, in a time period of 12 seconds. Analysis of the data was inconclusive, as most of it seemed to be random configurations of number values, represented by a series of repetitive tones. However, the transmission has served as evidence of a sapient, technologically advanced presence on Iapetus. All communication attempts by Foundation staff have thus far been unreciprocated. Research log, 736-4, list of Iapetus orbital decay simulations. Model date, 04-22-2007, eccentricity variance. Model date, 0.000382, period variance, 0.34D, predicted time to initial impact event. 289 years, 4 months, 11 days. Notable results, Iapetus collides with Saturn, causing slight change in Saturnian orbit, with no other effects on other celestial bodies. Model date, 11-02-2007, eccentricity variance, negative 0.000512, period variance, 0.77D, predicted time to initial impact event, 244 years, 8 months, 23 days. Notable results, Iapetus achieves a close flyby of Dianne prior to impact with Saturn, causing slight changes to Dionian and Saturnian orbits, with no other effects on celestial bodies. Model date, 0717-2008, eccentricity variance, negative 0.000883, period variance, 1.23D, predicted time to initial impact event, 231 years, 5 months, 2 days. Notable results, Iapetus achieves close flybys of Dianne and Tethys prior to impact with Saturn, causing major changes to Tethys' orbit and inducing its own state of orbital decay. Model date, 0108-2009, eccentricity variance, negative 0.000919, period variance, 1.59D, predicted time to initial impact event, 216 years, 11 months, 8 days. Notable results, Iapetus collides with Rea prior to impact with Saturn, resulting in widespread variances in orbits of most Saturnian moons. Consequently, Saturnian orbit altered significantly. Model date, 0531-2009, eccentricity variance, negative 0.001255, period variance, 2.7D, predicted time to initial impact event, 201 years, 5 months, and 18 days. Notable results, Iapetus collides with Titan prior to impact with Saturn. Orbits of Titan and Saturn undergo minor variances, but otherwise do not affect other celestial bodies. Model date, 0601-2010, eccentricity variance, negative 0.005928, period variance, 8.13D, predicted time to initial impact event, 175 years, 3 months, 9 days. Notable results, Iapetus collides with Titan, resulting in major changes to Titan orbit, Model predicts subsequent breakdown in Titanian orbit and the ejection of Titan from the Saturnian system in approximately 38 years. Trajectory of Titan's exit eventually places it outside of the solar system. Model date, 1225-2010, eccentricity variance, negative 0.006012, period variance, 9.01D, predicted time to initial impact event, 168 years, 7 months, 30 days. Notable results, Iapetus collides with Titan, resulting in major changes to Titan orbit, Model predicts subsequent breakdown in Titanian orbit and the ejection of Titan from the Saturnian system in approximately 24 years. Trajectory of Titan's orbit predicts a collision with Mars in 2209. Model date, 1113-2011, eccentricity variance, negative 0.007299, period variance, 11.11D, predicted time to initial impact event, 152 years, 2 months, 3 days. Notable results, Iapetus collides with Titan, resulting in major changes to Titan orbit, Model predicts subsequent breakdown in Titanian orbit and the ejection of Titan from the Saturnian system in approximately 22 years. Trajectory of Titan's orbit predicts a close encounter with Earth in 2258, passing within 800,000 kilometers. Note, the SCP-736 event preceding this model was accompanied by a transmission directed at a foundation-owned listening post in Costa Rica from the vicinity of Iapetus. Transmission consisted of what analysts determined to be a representation of the numeral 7.048 billion, repeated 17 times, followed by the numeral zero repeated 17 times. Addendum-736-1, SCP-736 reclassified to Keter, effective 02-03-2012, 054. Lesson complete. If you missed the previous orientation, go watch SCP-735, insult box, right now. Or for the complete course, watch this playlist.