Obviously, if possible, a lunar stationary satelite over the "dark" side of the moon would be undetectable from earth. This could be useful for certain purposes.....
2007-10-16 23:01:07 · 10 answers · asked by chris_brompton 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes it is possible. Lagrangian points 1, 2, 4 and 5 would all be lunar stationary as the points orbit the earth at the same rate as the moon. And the moons rotations is synchronous to its own orbit. L3, however, is on the farside of earth from the moons viewpoint and would be obscured.
2007-10-17 06:05:54 · answer #1 · answered by DrAnders_pHd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is certainly possible to put a satellite in lunar stationary orbit. It would need an altitude of about 87,000km. I'm not sure why a satellite over the far side would be useful. You are correct that it would be undetectable from Earth, but then Earth would also be undetectable from it. There is little benefit in really in putting a satellite up there compared to on the surface.
What such satellites would be useful for is the same thing that geostationary satellites are useful for here: communications relay systems. A set of four lunar stationary satellites could be arranged so that all are in line of sight with the Earth, and they could give communications coverage to the entire lunar surface, allowing many applications to be set up on the far side.
2007-10-17 00:02:20 · answer #2 · answered by Jason T 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
O.K., for starters-if the Earth stopped rotating on its axis, there would be little movement in the atmosphere as well as the oceans. This would impact both our weather and the temperature of the atmosphere-plus its ability to remove impurities (smog, volcanic ash, etc.). If the Earth were to stop in its orbit around the Sun, it would not have enough forward velocity=centrifugal force, to keep a solid path. Eventually gravity (either from the Sun or outer space), would take over, at which point it's a one-way ticket to either of those. So far, I did not see any mention of the Moon in these answers. Since it is held in tension bet. the Earth and the Sun, it would most likely hit Earth in both cases. That's a bad hair day. Afterthought-it might even affect plate movement under the Earth's crust, too. Not that it would matter-since all people would be gone. This (plate tectonic factor), is another question...
2016-05-23 03:15:58 · answer #3 · answered by cari 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No reason why not - The Moon has gravity - albeit less than the earth - and that is what is needed for stationary orbit.
I can't think of a purpose for this though... and how would you get the signals back to earth?.... the moon would be in the way.
2007-10-16 23:04:30 · answer #4 · answered by Robert W 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's possible. To have a lunar geostationary satellite on the dark side you'd need another satellite that could "see" Earth and the satellite on the dark side otherwise the dark side lunar base would never be able to receive Champions League football.
2007-10-16 23:06:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it is not possible. The Moon is too nonspherical, and its gravitational field too lumpy for low-lunar orbits to be stable. That is why the Apollo missions had to leave the command module pilot behind, so that he could pilot the ship in orbit. Without him flying it, the CM would have crashed into the moon, or been lost to space.
2007-10-16 23:58:29 · answer #6 · answered by ZikZak 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes. It would be a very good place to stick a satellite telescope. no distortions etc.
2007-10-16 23:09:15 · answer #7 · answered by Tony W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think the Justice League already has one up there.
2007-10-16 23:14:25 · answer #8 · answered by Gabi ng Lagim 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
absolutely dude the moon has gravity
2007-10-16 23:04:34 · answer #9 · answered by The Unborn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Paleassee dont ask such messed up questions!...........
2007-10-16 23:04:49 · answer #10 · answered by kaleem u 1 · 1⤊ 3⤋