Getting around in space is a little more complex than just point and shoot. Turns out, every little (and big) object out there exerts some gravity, and when you couple that with the fact that all planetary bodies are constantly moving (plus any other factors that I am over-simplifying away), you start to get an idea of just how much you have to account for. Thankfully, NASA was kind enough back in 1967 to provide a video primer on just how it is done, with a basic introduction to lunar and interplanetary navigation for manned spaceflight.
“This film illustrates the methods that were used for determining space trajectories, locating a spacecraft’s position, and navigating both manned and unmanned spacecraft between Earth and other planets. The footage shows, through animation and live photography, the use of computers and other navigational instruments for the lunar mission and future space flights.”
After you make sure you have a full cup of coffee, pull up a chair and hit the jump, and let’s get educated!
Part 1:
Part 2:
Image from noao.edu, video from YouTube, via highpowerrocketry.com and scitech.quickfound.net.
"For man is not content unless he is pushing himself to the limits of his knowledge, or beyond."
Well said.
They have been rehashing that for years…
Which is why I still cast my vote in with Shackleton instead of this new space gig they got going.
Sometimes it's the message not the messenger. Afterall, an imaginary dog wrote, "That which you manifest is before you."
Speaking of going to the moon: http://www.spacetoday.org/Satellites/SatBytes/Moo…