Is Apollo 11's Lunar Module Still In Orbit Around The Moon 52 Years Later? - Page 2

Arlo · 09-30-21, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorpet

Sorry i went completely off the rocker.

*ShruG* It's ok. Kinda used to it.

iambecomelife · 09-30-21, 06:20 PM

Semi Off Topic: an article about part of the Saturn V stage for Apollo 12, which is still in orbit after many years. It's huge, even though it's just part of the whole rocket.

Interesting thing is, it orbits both Earth AND the Sun. It reappears circling Earth at 40 year intervals. Its last visit to Earth ended in 2003. I didn't even know that an object have a dual orbit like that! Basically, Earth and the Sun pass it between each other ..

eventually it may collide with the moon or Earth, but potential damage is low.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J002E3

Platapus · 10-01-21, 05:11 PM

Well all earth satellites orbit the sun.

But the unstable orbit of J002E3 is quite interesting. We are still not 100% positive what it is, but the Saturn Booster idea seems reasonable.

Because it passes inside the orbit of our moon, its orbit processes to the point where its apogee is beyond the first Lagrange point so it then transitions to a heliocentric orbit.

It seems to follow a pattern of six highly elliptical earth orbits and one very high solar orbit and then back for six. Weird.

09-30-21, 06:20 PM	#17
iambecomelife Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 4,709 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	Semi Off Topic: an article about part of the Saturn V stage for Apollo 12, which is still in orbit after many years. It's huge, even though it's just part of the whole rocket. Interesting thing is, it orbits both Earth AND the Sun. It reappears circling Earth at 40 year intervals. Its last visit to Earth ended in 2003. I didn't even know that an object have a dual orbit like that! Basically, Earth and the Sun pass it between each other .. eventually it may collide with the moon or Earth, but potential damage is low. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J002E3 __________________ https://www.facebook.com/WolvesoftheKaiser/

10-01-21, 05:11 PM	#18
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,379 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Well all earth satellites orbit the sun. But the unstable orbit of J002E3 is quite interesting. We are still not 100% positive what it is, but the Saturn Booster idea seems reasonable. Because it passes inside the orbit of our moon, its orbit processes to the point where its apogee is beyond the first Lagrange point so it then transitions to a heliocentric orbit. It seems to follow a pattern of six highly elliptical earth orbits and one very high solar orbit and then back for six. Weird. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.