The moon's gravity is only 1/6 that of earth's. It's not like they were going to fall and break their necks. Why didn't they just float out or jump up when going back into the LM? Yet, they used every step of the way.
2007-05-26 14:15:53 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Here is an analogy that might help. Would you rather climb a ladder to crawl into a window or would you rather bounce on a trampoline and hope that you aimed correctly and made it to the window?
2007-05-26 14:21:33 · answer #1 · answered by Curiosity 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even though the gravity is 1/6th that of Earth, the mass of the astronauts was the same. If they jumped from the LM front porch (that's what they called it), the jump would have been the same as about 1 1/2 foot from the ground on the earth. The space suits had a mass of about 300 lb, plus the astronaut. Jumping from 1 1/2 foot on the earth wearing 300 lbs of gear would be uncomfortable at best! Plus, the surface conditions (was it slippery?) weren't known with certainty. Hence, the ladder.
2007-05-26 15:16:54 · answer #2 · answered by David A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you take the risk of jumping when you are carrying the only thing keeping you alive on your back? Even in 1/6th G the door of the LM was far too high to jump up to.
2007-05-27 00:41:41 · answer #3 · answered by Jason T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They weren't really sure what the surface would be like, and they didn't want to take chances, so they went carefully (no paramedics up there if they broke a leg).
Plus their suits and gear are heavy and bulky, so even in the moon's 1/6th gravity they were almost earth-normal weight.
And due to the suit design, they were very top-heavy, so if they jumped and lost their balance they could end up falling and possibly damaging their suit or equipment (no mechanics or tailors up there either).
2007-05-26 14:35:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would think that they were under strict orders to do everything very carefully, a snag resulting in a torn space suit could be very well fatal on the moon.
2007-05-29 10:01:02 · answer #5 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you noticed how bulky and inflexible those suits were? Have you considered how dangerous the environment was?
2007-05-26 14:19:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pressure suits that they are wearing are very delicate. If they rupture, they will be space toast!!!!
2007-05-26 14:22:04 · answer #7 · answered by martinpaul2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As on any expedition, because of the consequence of injury.
2007-05-26 14:19:58 · answer #8 · answered by Mark 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just think about if they slipped and hit the glass helmets of their suits against the lander
a little crack gets bigger.. and bigger... then poof; no oxygen, and no pressure
2007-05-26 16:08:59 · answer #9 · answered by rifles 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it was too damn high!
2007-05-26 14:25:20 · answer #10 · answered by doom98999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋