Posts: 270 From: Lake Orion, MI Registered: Feb 2006
posted 07-24-2021 08:46 PM
A long-time space enthusiast named James Maedor has used NASA's General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT) to make the assertion that the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle ascent stage could possibly still be in lunar orbit today.
It has been assumed for the past 52 years that Eagle's orbit gradually degraded to the point where impacting the Moon was a certainty. However, Maedor's data indicates that Eagle's orbit may have actually become more stable over time instead of degrading.
He stops short of saying Eagle is still in lunar orbit, but he does believe after running his calculations that it is possible that Eagle hasn't impacted the Moon as of now. His report can be downloaded here.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1019 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 07-25-2021 06:34 PM
I thought this was nuts, but after looking at the paper I am indeed intrigued. I am impressed that the paper's author attempted to take into account the effects of solar wind pressure on Eagle, which is essentially a metal balloon. I am also gratified that he acknowledged ruptured tanks and feed lines might have affected Eagle's possible long-term survival.
I wonder if the U.S., or anyone with the right equipment (i.e. a big dish antenna), might attempt to search for Eagle.
What a find THAT would be!
Paul78zephyr Member
Posts: 726 From: Hudson, MA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 07-27-2021 08:04 PM
This is quite fascinating. Other than Earth-based radar could Hubble or LRO search for it? Or perhaps other means? Is Eagle still the "property" of USA and protected?
And I must ask why NASA hadn't figured this out - or have they and just didn't want to say anything?
Jeff Member
Posts: 543 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
posted 07-28-2021 05:18 AM
Scott Manley discusses this subject on his YouTube channel:
jklier Member
Posts: 67 From: Austin, Texas Registered: Aug 2007
posted 07-28-2021 10:38 AM
quote:Originally posted by Paul78zephyr: Other than Earth-based radar could Hubble or LRO search for it?
There have been several cases of items being detected from past missions. These have usually been ejected into a solar orbit and are occasionally recaptured in the Earth-moon system for a short time. In these cases the objects were found by accident.
So I think if Eagle is still out there it could be found if we actually started looking for it.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 46708 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-28-2021 11:21 AM
quote:Originally posted by Paul78zephyr: Is Eagle still the "property" of USA and protected?
Per the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, the Apollo 11 ascent stage remains the property of the United States, regardless of where it is or what condition it is in.
quote:And I must ask why NASA hadn't figured this out...
As spent hardware, NASA had no reason to look for the ascent stage.
Buel Member
Posts: 777 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
posted 07-28-2021 12:33 PM
Didn't the crew report it hitting the moon and causing it to show a seismic event that lasted much longer than expected?
Mike Dixon Member
Posts: 1563 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
posted 07-28-2021 04:27 PM
No, that was Apollo 12.
posted 07-24-2021 08:46 PM
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