Given that the moon has less gravity than the Earth, if during a lunar landing one of the astronauts was locked out during take off, would he/she be able to hold on to the side of the ship untill it reached orbit. ?
2007-06-03 04:41:35 · 9 answers · asked by gordon C 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Probably he could. The Apollo LM had no seats, the astronauts stood up at the controls during both landing and takeoff. The LM had less than 1G acceleration because the Moon has only 1/6 Earth's gravity. And with no air rushing by, there would be nothing to blow him off the side of the vehicle. He would need a place to stand though, some kind of foot hold or something. A gloved hand in a heavy space suit probably couldn't hold on tightly enough for long enough to reach orbit without also having some foot hold. Without the space suit it would be easy though, but of course you would die from the vacuum then
2007-06-03 06:04:37 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lunar landers accelerate rather quickly. It would be hard to hold on just because of that. But as the ship reaches its desired altitude and slows down, it would be considerably easier.
The effect of an irregularity on the outside of the ship would be a factor in earth's atmosphere but not on the moon. I think it could be done, but the astronaut would have to be strapped on very securely. It would be uncomfortable but I don't think fatal unless the oxygen supply ran out.
Then all you have to do is figure out how to get him/her back into the orbiter.
2007-06-03 05:03:29 · answer #2 · answered by Brant 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO.this is not completely because of the gravity of the moon but actually to do with Einstein's theory of general relativity.the rocket will be accelerating with a constant acceleration 'a' such that the overall gravitational acceleration acting on the astronaut will be
a+acceleration due to gravity of the moon.
also this will act in a downward direction and hence he will eventually fall off at a certain height.
2007-06-03 04:50:40 · answer #3 · answered by Shy Lad 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes - he might make it if he could hook himself on somehow. As someone else has pointed out, the astronauts made the ascent standing up, so the acceleration is quite mild. You have to remember, though, that a space suit is heavy, so he has to support that weight as well as his own. So I don't think he would manage just by holding on - he would have to be secured somehow.
2007-06-03 11:19:32 · answer #4 · answered by Martin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what is actually happening is it landing or taking off, if they are locked out how would they get back in surly if they couldn't do it while still on the moon why would being in orbit be any easier
2007-06-04 12:24:18 · answer #5 · answered by nurgle69 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small piece of foam screw-up shuttle takeoffs, so imagine what person banging around would do. They aren't strappted into specially design seats for appearance, so they would never be able to deal with thrust.
2007-06-03 04:52:14 · answer #6 · answered by Mister2-15-2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since it has less gravity, it would actually be easier for him to hold on. (less force pulling him back down again)
2007-06-03 04:47:32 · answer #7 · answered by ukcufs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its an interesting question..... i think yes he would be able to. The effects of the launch wouldn't be as strenuous to him on the moon as it would be on earth
2007-06-03 07:56:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
of course. you can use the gravity equation to see he far he/she has to be for that to happen.
f=g*m1*m2/r^2
2007-06-03 04:46:21 · answer #9 · answered by electric 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋