Times Square Ball Drop: Descent Mechanics (3D)

This is a full 3D, orbit-anywhere model of the Times Square New Year ball's real motor-driven cable descent: a spool servo tracks the ideal 60‑second/60‑foot schedule, an elastic cable links spool to ball so tension and stretch respond realistically instead of behaving like a rigid rod, and wind gusts push the ball into a visible lateral sway rather than just slowing its fall — none of it is free fall under gravity alone. Click the ball or the button to arm the countdown, then adjust the controller gain, wind disturbance, cable friction and cable stiffness to see how each keeps — or knocks — the real descent off the ideal schedule.