Monday, November 03, 2003
This is a nice discussion by Stephen Den Beste of some orbital mechanics details that explains how to move in orbit with reference to another orbiting object. Its counter-intuitive and Stephen does a neat job of explaining it.
If you go back and look at the history of the U.S. space program, to many the Gemini phase doesn't make sense. It looks like NASA is doing odd or easy things. Rendezvous between spacecraft, space walks and such. But in reality, NASA was learning how to make the theoretical knowledge that Stephen writes about work in an operational environment. Rendezvous in orbit is tougher than it sounds.
Robin 9:37 AM