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/sci/ - Science & Math

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1298753 No.1298753 [Reply] [Original]

So aren't we kind of screwing ourselves over by putting space shuttles and stations out in space and sending probes beyond the solar system?

For an object to be in orbit around another object, it has to be moving perpendicular to that other object at the same speed the other object pulls it in. The result is a curved path around the object. If the the object moves faster than the speed at which it's being drawn in, it spirals away from the other object. If slower, it spirals closer and closer. The two speeds have to be perfectly even for sustained orbit.

Gravitational force between two objects is dependent on their mass and distance between them. Once perfect equilibrium between the two speeds is broken, the distance between the two objects changes causing an unstoppable spiral either toward or away from each other.

Space shuttles, stations, and probes are built out of materials. They have mass. That mass is no longer part of the planet. Whenever we send something out in space, the mass of the planet falls. This causes the gravitational force between the planet and the Sun to decrease, meaning the Earth will spiral farther and farther away from the Sun.

>> No.1298766

>This causes the gravitational force between the planet and the Sun to decrease, meaning the Earth will spiral farther and farther away from the Sun.

No.

>> No.1298776

>>1298766
Yes.

>> No.1298788

>>1298776
Well, yes, but not because of this.

>> No.1298804

>>1298776
No, the net mass is of the system is conserved, and because R (earth / sun system) is so large, moving the center of mass of the earth / whatever the fuck is in orbit out a little this way or that has negligible effect.

>> No.1298805

>>1298788
Explain.

>> No.1298812

>>1298804
But not all the stuff we've sent out simply goes in orbit around the Earth.

We have a probe that we sent out to the end of the solar system.

>> No.1298823

Wouldn't this also mean the moon is getting closer and closer to the Earth because we put stuff on the moon?

>> No.1298849
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1298849

I think OP is right but the changes are pretty much insignificant.
And btw meteorites are constantly crashing into the surface (mostly in the form of burnt dust), so yeah.

>> No.1298859

earth weighs aproxamately: 6,000,000,000,000 ,000,000,000,000 (6E+24) kilograms.

the voyager spacecraft weighs: at launch 815 kg

as you can see the mass difference between the spacecraft and the earth is so big that the amount of mass removed is small enough that the change in orbit would be neglibible, though you are correct it does have an effect

>> No.1298874

>>1298859

also, the last time a large object 'added' mass to the earth (dinosaur impact), it didn't do anything to the orbit at all. it's self correcting. in fact, if you want to take it to the very extreme, a mars sized object impacted earth and didn't affect it's orbit in any meaningful way.

>> No.1298875

>>1298859
on the same note the very act of rocket thrusters pushing against the earth shifts it's position in space, but again the effect is so small nobody even notices

>> No.1298879

Iron meteorites with weights of 50 to 100 kg are not uncommon. ... The Earth accumulates about 10000 tons of cosmic dust each year

>> No.1298881

OP is a dumbshit.

his explanation of orbits is so lolsworthy. Orbits are ELLIPSES not circles

Please OP, learn some basic orbital mechanics before posting this shit.

Also learn about tidal forces, they're much more significant than a few hundred kg's worth of satellites. lol

>> No.1298931

>>1298881
ur a dumshit

>> No.1299016

>>1298753
So aren't we kind of screwing ourselves over

NO

For an object to be in orbit around another object, it has to be moving perpendicular to that other object at the same speed the other object pulls it in.

NO

The result is a curved path around the object.

NOT NECESSARILY

If the the object moves faster than the speed at which it's being drawn in, it spirals away from the other object. If slower, it spirals closer and closer.

KINDA NO BY EARLIER NO

The two speeds have to be perfectly even for sustained orbit.

AGAIN KINDA NO THIS IS A SPECIAL CASE YOU KEEP CITING HERE

Gravitational force between two objects is dependent on their mass and distance between them.

NOT LINEARLY

Once perfect equilibrium between the two speeds is broken, the distance between the two objects changes causing an unstoppable spiral either toward or away from each other.

NO

Space shuttles, stations, and probes are built out of materials. They have mass. That mass is no longer part of the planet. Whenever we send something out in space, the mass of the planet falls.

INSIGNIFICANTLY

This causes the gravitational force between the planet and the Sun to decrease, meaning the Earth will spiral farther and farther away from the Sun.

NO

>> No.1299045

The difference in mass and effect is comparable to using an ant to anchor a tanker ship.