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EML-1: the next space destination

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  • EML-1: the next space destination

    EML: Earth-Moon Lagrange point

    Lagrange point: a location of gravitational balance between bodies in space. Satellites & spacecraft can orbit these points - a halo orbit. Halo orbits require a tiny fraction of the fuel normally needed for station keeping.

    They're the perfect location for things like a Star Trek style space dock where spacecraft can be refitted, re-fueled, depart/return on deep space missions etc. They also provide access to Interplanetary Superhighways (IPS) - gravitational pathways that allow low energy travel from one Lagrange point to another, including those around other planets.

    Several satellites are already at EML points and more will follow including the huge James Webb Space Telescope, but there are far more ambitious plans both by NASA and the commercial space companies.

    Ex: Bigelow Aerospace has plans for a huge (2+ times the ISS's volume) space dock where land-able lunar bases could be assembled. Solar-electric powered (VASIMR, ION drive etc,) space-tugs could also take satellites to other Lagrange points, then return them for repair, refitting for another mission or recycled, as well as the other ops mentioned in the articles below -

    EML-1 article on The Space Review....

    IPS article at CalTech....

    Earth-Moon-Sun Lagrange points


    Simplified representation of IPS
    Last edited by Dr Mordrid; 4 February 2011, 15:09.
    Dr. Mordrid
    ----------------------------
    An elephant is a mouse built to government specifications.

    I carry a gun because I can't throw a rock 1,250 fps
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