MadSci Network: Astronomy |
The story in the following link suggests that there are 'frozen' lunar orbits in which a spacecraft can orbit indefinitely, in such an orbit that it does not encounter 'mascons'. Isn't it true that a spacecraft's orbit will remain fixed with respect to the solar system? If so then the spacecraft will cover the entire lunar surface in 30 days as the moon orbits the earth. If that's true then the spacecraft should eventually encounter these 'mascons'. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/06nov_loworbit.htm?list8692
Re: Do 'frozen' lunar orbits exist?
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Astronomy.