L1 orbits. (SpaceX launch delayed 1 day.)
L1 orbits. (SpaceX launch delayed 1 day.)
(OP)
Was watching the SpaceX countdown, but it got scrubbed at about 3 minutes to launch. Blast!
regardless, a reader on the webcam asked how multiple spacecraft orbit the L1 position. I can "see" the L1 points as moving points in space as the earth rotates the sun, but each as a fixed point relative tot he earth.
But how does a spacecraft "orbit" a position that is itself not a gravity well, but the opposite of a gravity well - a gravity "plain" if you will where there local forces of gravity from several bodies all cancel? Doesn't seem logically possible.
regardless, a reader on the webcam asked how multiple spacecraft orbit the L1 position. I can "see" the L1 points as moving points in space as the earth rotates the sun, but each as a fixed point relative tot he earth.
But how does a spacecraft "orbit" a position that is itself not a gravity well, but the opposite of a gravity well - a gravity "plain" if you will where there local forces of gravity from several bodies all cancel? Doesn't seem logically possible.





RE: L1 orbits. (SpaceX launch delayed 1 day.)
Just guessing here, but I bet the oscillation can be 1/n years in period, so there's probably a rationale they can use to station multiple spacecraft in the region, and avoid conflicts.
For a real mind-bender, look up "Lissajous orbit". :)
STF