Here’s how orbital dynamics wizardry helped save NASA’s next Mars mission CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida—The field of astrodynamics isn’t a magical discipline, but sometimes it seems trajectory analysts can pull a solution out of a hat. That’s what it took to save NASA’s ESCAPADE...

Here’s how orbital dynamics wizardry helped save NASA’s next Mars mission #Technology #EmergingTechnologies #SpaceTech #NASA #MarsMission #OrbitalDynamics

A red streak boomerangs around the Sun. This is Firelord, herald of Galactus, entering the Solar System. The caption explains “…at that precise INSTANT, ninety million miles away — a figure flashing through space uses the massive gravity of the Sun to SLOW its forward speed, braking as it approaches a certain PLANET…”

Firelord, herald of Galactus, arrives in the Solar System with a gravity assist from the Sun — Thor #225 (1974) #orbitaldynamics #firelord #marvelcomics

Les comètes sombres, des objets célestes qui défient les lois de la dynamique du Système solaire Un mystérieux groupe d’objets célestes, ni tout à fait comètes ni tout à fait astéroïdes, intrigue les chercheurs par leurs mouvements inexpliqués. Leur étude pourrait éclairer l’origine de l’eau sur Terre.

Des astronomes identifient des comètes sombres, objets déguisés en astéroïdes mais propulsés comme des comètes, un vrai casse-tête cosmique
www.pourlascience.fr/sd/astronomi...
#Space #Science #Innovation
#Astrophysics #OrbitalDynamics
#DarkComets #NEOs #OutgassingMystery
#CosmicFrontierEmerging

6/11 Mercury is surprisingly vulnerable. Small changes propagating inward can stretch its orbit into a dangerous oval.

If the orbit gets too elongated, Mercury could fall into the Sun or get close enough to Venus to be flung out of the solar system entirely.
#Mercury #OrbitalDynamics

Lambert's problem in orbital dynamics: a self--contained introduction
Lenox Helene Baloglou, Parneet Gill et al.
Paper
Details
#LambertsProblem #OrbitalDynamics #SpaceMechanics

What time is tonight's total lunar eclipse? Here's when to see the full 'blood moon' Before The Ides of March, the full 'blood moon' will rise amid a total lunar eclipse. Here's what time to watch totality tonight

Lunar eclipse beginning now🌔
#lunareclipse #moon #sun #orbitaldynamics
www.goerie.com/story/news/2...

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2022SW003193

Figure 1: NOAA’s classification of geomagnetic storms (G1–G5) based on severity and impact on satellites. Importance: Helps predict space weather risks, guiding satellite operators in planning and mitigation strategies

Figure 2: Shows increased atmospheric density and geomagnetic activity during the February 2022 Starlink loss event. Importance: Demonstrates how even minor storms can significantly impact satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).

Figure 6: Compares altitude decay and positional errors of satellites during G1 vs. G5 geomagnetic storms. Importance: Highlights the drastic effects of extreme storms on satellite stability, emphasizing the need for accurate density forecasting.

Understanding space weather’s impact on satellites 🌍🛰️! A study highlights how geomagnetic storms increase drag on Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites, affecting their stability and fuel needs. Better forecasting is key! ⚡🚀

#SpaceWeather #Satellites #VLEO #GeomagneticStorms #OrbitalDynamics

To change the way you see the Moon, view it from the Sun’s perspective | Aeon Videos Switch from the Moon’s orbit of Earth to its trajectory around the Sun, and you shift your entire view of our solar system

What Orbits What?

Does the Moon orbit the Earth or the Sun? Or both? Does it matter? Here's a nice, 5-min video to adjust your perspective. Plus: "epitrochoids"! (<--quite possibly the answer to my question about the shape of a doily that I posted a couple of days ago.)

#Reading #OrbitalDynamics