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Author
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Topic: Apollo 10 LM ascent module
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para629
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posted 02-16-2006 01:30 AM
   
I understand that the Apollo 10 LM ascent stage in in ( heliocentric? ) orbit to this day. My questions are:Has there been any sightings/tracking or projected data concerning it's orbit? Any thoughts as to what it's physical condition might be now? Wouldn't be great someday to retrieve it !!! Does anyone know if there is any other Apollo hardware still out there somewhere beyond the Apollo 12 SIV-B? Any updates on it??? Thank you all! |
spaceuk
Member Posts: 2113
From: Staffs, UK
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 02-16-2006 03:35 AM
These are known Apollo program major hardwrae items still in selenocentric or heliocentric orbit.It is possible that some of the selenocentric items may have crashed into lunar surface since no "official" active tracking is undertaken. 1972-031C 6005 US SELENOCENTRIC ORBIT (MOON) N/A
APOLLO 16 LM (ORION) Launched (04/16/1972)
1971-063D 5377 US SELENOCENTRIC ORBIT (MOON) N/A
APOLLO 15 (IRW PL) Launched (07/26/1971)
1969-059C 4041 US SELENOCENTRIC ORBIT (MOON) N/A
APOLLO 11 LM (APS) Launched (07/16/1969)
1969-043D 3949 US HELIOCENTRIC ORBIT (SUN) N/A
APOLLO 10 LM (APS) Launched (05/18/1969)
1969-043C 3948 US SELENOCENTRIC ORBIT (MOON) N/A
APOLLO 10 LM (DPS) Launched (05/18/1969)
1969-099B 4226 US NO INITIAL ELEMENTS N/A
SATURN 5 R/B Launched (11/14/1969)
1969-059B 4040 US HELIOCENTRIC ORBIT (SUN) N/A
SATURN 5 R/B Launched (07/16/1969)
1969-043B 3943 US HELIOCENTRIC ORBIT (SUN) N/A
SATURN 5 R/B Launched (05/18/1969) 1969-018B 3770 US HELIOCENTRIC ORBIT (SUN) N/A
SATURN 5 R/B Launched (03/03/1969) 1968-118B 3627 US HELIOCENTRIC ORBIT (SUN) N/A
SATURN 5 R/B Launched (12/21/1968) |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3160
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-16-2006 08:42 PM
As I understand it, Snoopy's ascent stage is the only flown lunar module ascent stage (probably) still intact. All others either burned up in Earth's atmosphere or crashed onto the Moon. I'm assuming there hasn't been a random and highly unlikely meteor impact. I suppose, in theory, a future expedition could track, locate and retrieve Snoopy for display in the Air and Space Museum. Now THAT would be worth seeing! |
OV-105
Member Posts: 820
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 02-16-2006 11:00 PM
But how would they get Snoopy home? The shuttle will be done so no way to get it back down. That still sounds weird that the shuttle will be done and not fly any more. That will be a big change for any Astronauts that have flown the shuttle then go to the small CEV. |
dtemple
Member Posts: 730
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 02-17-2006 10:15 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Blackarrow:
As I understand it, Snoopy's ascent stage is the only flown lunar module ascent stage (probably) still intact. All others either burned up in Earth's atmosphere or crashed onto the Moon. I'm assuming there hasn't been a random and highly unlikely meteor impact. I suppose, in theory, a future expedition could track, locate and retrieve Snoopy for display in the Air and Space Museum. Now THAT would be worth seeing!
The LM for Apollo 9 reentered the atmosphere in the early 1980s and I think I read that all LMs left in orbit around the moon had crashed long ago. I have had the same thought about some future astronauts retrieving the Apollo 10 LM ascent stage or other historic spacecraft. Vanguard 1 remains in earth orbit. That would be a nice one for the NASM, too.
David |
Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 02-24-2006 01:06 AM
You know, of course, that if a future mission retrieved the Apollo 10 Ascent Stage and returned it to Earth as a museum exhibit or similar, the HBs would claim it was faked?Though I rebut the HBs on a regular basis, the majority will never be swayed from their misguided beliefs that the whole thing was a hoax. No matter what evidence you may produce, they will always claim that the evidence was faked.
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