Were the Apollo astronauts once in low earth orbit? Isn't that dangerous?

Answer 1

Being astronauts on a mission is already dangerous. Why would a low orbit make it any more so?

Answer 2

The Apollo astronauts were only in low Earth orbit for a few hours. The astronauts in the International Space Station are in low Earth orbit for months. No, it's not dangerous.

Answer 3

They were in much more danger once they left Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The commonly accepted definition for LEO is between 160 - 2000 km (100 - 1240 miles) above the Earth's surface.
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In theory because there is no atmosphere at the Moon, a spacecraft could go into an orbit at just above the height of the highest lunar mountains (for safety sake) and traveling at a specific speed and trajectory could remain in that orbit almost indefinitely. This orbit would be a matter of feet above the surface rather than miles.
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Answer 4

Yes. From the moment the Apollo astronauts stepped into the Saturn V rocket til the moment they set foot on the aircraft carrier that picked them up out of the pacific after splashdown they were in constant danger. If something had malfunctioned at any point in the mission they could have died. But while in low earth orbit they were relatively safe. No engines running, protection from charged particles by earths magnetic field, proximity to earth making escape in case of malfunction possible etc. They didn´t spend too much time in LEO but they would have put out a huge sigh of relief having survived the blast off.

Answer 5

Orbit is orbit..doesn't matter if it's low or high, along as it's out of the atmosphere. The atmosphere would cause drag on the spaceship which would slow it down to a point where it would start to fall back to Earth. Even spaceships in high orbit experience a very small atmospheric drag and occasionally have to adjust their orbit higher. This usually isn't a problem on short duration flights, but something in orbit on a more permanent basis like the International Space Station needs a boost every so often.

Answer 6

Yes, it's dangerous. Ask the Challenger and Columbia astronauts if it's dangerous. Oh wait, you can't. They're all dead. As long as your spacecraft maintains its physical integrity, though, it's not tremendously dangerous. I think your question is about radiation in space, and the Van Allen belts are up higher than the shuttle normally goes, so it's safe in that regard.

Answer 7

area fits supply basically limited risk-free practices from radiation. some risk-free practices is presented by the reflective coatings of Mylar that are outfitted into the fits, yet an area experience does no longer supply lots risk-free practices from a photo voltaic flare. So, spacewalks are deliberate for the time of classes of low photograph voltaic interest. NASA officers for sure understand there's a possibility to astronauts from radiation and flight surgeons intently song each and each group contributors' finished radiation dose from all supplies for the time of his or her lifetime.

Answer 8

no, the ISS flies in low orbit and is not dangerous,

Answer 9

Apollo didn't have to worry about satellites .... there weren't any that were up there to share LEOs with.....