S-IV B stage in far earth orbit.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Fri Sep 20, 2002 5:25 pm

Space.com has been running this story and giving more info on it each day. Aparently what appears to be the S-IV B stage from the Apollo 12 saturn V has been found in a far earth orbit abiout twice the distance from the earth to the moon. The S-IVB stage left the earths gravitational influence in 1971 and aparently reentered the earth's influence this past april. Although its not confirmed that it is definately the upper stage of a Saturn V analyais shows its man made and has the same type of paint as the Saturn V did. At first it looked like it might impact the moon but it now looks like it will end up back in solar orbit within a year. Check out space.com for the whole story.

Richasi · Post by **Richasi** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 1:07 pm

Yeah, it's been an interesting series. I remember when it first broke they weren't quite sure what it was... but it is a nice little thing NASA can latch onto, if they do it right, to bring people's attention to the Space Race of old...

Of course, it could be a poster bit for the "space junk" folks

Ricky

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 1:13 pm

Too bad it isnt from Apollo 13 with the release of the Imax version of the movie it would be great publicity.

Richasi · Post by **Richasi** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 8:09 pm

That's okay though... I like Apollo 12.

Especially the "From the Earth to the Moon" representation of it

A new article says it's in Earth's orbit and will be here for a little while... then go off again...

Weirder things have happened.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 8:21 pm

Well if you like apollo 12 you need to come visit up here and see the real thing. We have the apollo 12 CM in the space museum here in hampton.

Post by **Vincent** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 4:12 pm

Yeah...they thought that whatever it was (before they knew) was possibly a third moon for Earth...and then it turns out to be (more) space junk!

Go figure...

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 4:22 pm

Well it might just be space junk but its space junk with historical significance.

Richasi · Post by **Richasi** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 9:26 pm

Third moon for Earth? Okay, did I miss something?

Post by **Vincent** » Wed Sep 25, 2002 9:41 pm

Yes...it would seem as if we possibly have a second one orbiting the earth at a rate of once every 770 years...

A few more details can be had here.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:53 pm

I've never heard of Earth having 2 moons either.