Wouldn’t when we land on the moon, the earth would still be in motion bc of the orbit, and so whenever we exit the orbit of the moon (Which was orbiting the earth) the earth would still be in a constant orbit moving at high speeds, how did we calculate and intercept earth in said orbit.
In: Planetary Science
Imagine you are on a plane with your sister. During the flight you throw her a ball. One of your two is the moon and the other is the earth.
Math.
Scientists and astronomers have been tracking the paths of the planets, the sun, the stars, the moon and asteroids for a very long time. Their movements and the effect of their gravity is predictable and can be calculated with great precision mathematically. That math can be applied to the flight plan for spacecrafts to make sure the craft takes off and lands exactly where it’s supposed to.
Lots and lots of math?
when the spacecraft leaves the moon’s orbit, it’s still moving nearly the same speed as the moon, and on a very similar course, so it starts orbiting the earth.
Space travel was also weird and confusing to me at first, but then I played kerbal space program and it makes sense intuitively. It’s hard to explain without pictures and diagram, but basically spaceships don’t go in straight line like a bullet. Earth & moon gravity, also their relative movement take into account to plan curved shaped maneuver
Latest Answers