Lagrange Point Colonization
Encyclopedia
Lagrange point colonization is the colonization of the five equilibrium points in the orbit of a planet or its primary moon, called Lagrange points. The most obvious points for colonization are the points in the Earth-Moon system and the points in the Sun-Earth system. Although it would generally take days or even months to reach with current technology, many of these points would have near-continuous solar power capability since their distance from Earth would result in only brief and infrequent eclipses of light from the Sun.
The point, on the far side of the Moon, is completely shielded from the Earth by the Moon so radio telescope
s placed there would receive much less interference than existing telescopes. Of course, since the moon is tide locked, any colony on the far side of the moon
has this same benefit; a lunar facility, however, would suffer from "moonquakes".
Both and require active stationkeeping since neither is fully stable. Colonies at the and positions would have the advantage of being stable without any need for stationkeeping, and could be used as a waypoint for travel to and from cislunar space.
In addition, they would significantly reduce the delta-V (velocity change) needed to move from one to another, or to enter or leave Earth orbit, an important drawback of any Lunar surface station, which demands high energy expenditure to escape and comparable or greater amount to soft-land.
The position is useful for solar observations since it is near the Earth but in constant sunlight. It could also be useful for collecting solar power. Conversely, the point is perpetually in the shadow of the Earth, and as such offers a prime location for observing the outer planets
or deep space
. and colonies could be used as waypoint
s in space travel, to expand the practical launch window
for travel to and from the Earth and other planets. These positions are useful for colonies as they are stable without any need for stationkeeping.
as well as the health threat from cosmic rays
is significant. In the Earth-Moon system, the orbit of colonies at - will take them outside of the protection of the Earth's magnetosphere
for approximately two-thirds of the time (as occurs with the Moon). Colonies at (located between the Earth and Moon) will experience this to a lesser degree while (located beyond the Moon) will experience this to a greater degree and all of them will be exposed to the little understood plasma sheet of the magnetotail.
In the Sun-Earth system, and - are all outside of the protection of the Earth's magnetosphere. periodically transfers from within the magnetotail, plasma sheet, and solar wind depending on the intensity and direction of the solar wind.
Earth-Moon
An station would have a number of important functions due to its stationary position between the Earth and Moon. One, it is in a perfect location to monitor and coordinate communications among various missions on the nearside of the Moon. A vessel launched from could reach any place on the Moon within a few hours to a day. This would make it ideal for crisis management if an emergency occurred on the Moon. Furthermore, it could serve as a way station, especially once built up, and would probably be used to handle tourists and casual visitors to the Moon. A station like this could also serve as a repair center for ships moving throughout the Solar System.The point, on the far side of the Moon, is completely shielded from the Earth by the Moon so radio telescope
Radio telescope
A radio telescope is a form of directional radio antenna used in radio astronomy. The same types of antennas are also used in tracking and collecting data from satellites and space probes...
s placed there would receive much less interference than existing telescopes. Of course, since the moon is tide locked, any colony on the far side of the moon
Far side of the Moon
The far side of the Moon is the lunar hemisphere that is permanently turned away, and is not visible from the surface of the Earth. The far hemisphere was first photographed by the Soviet Luna 3 probe in 1959, and was first directly observed by human eyes when the Apollo 8 mission orbited the Moon...
has this same benefit; a lunar facility, however, would suffer from "moonquakes".
Both and require active stationkeeping since neither is fully stable. Colonies at the and positions would have the advantage of being stable without any need for stationkeeping, and could be used as a waypoint for travel to and from cislunar space.
In addition, they would significantly reduce the delta-V (velocity change) needed to move from one to another, or to enter or leave Earth orbit, an important drawback of any Lunar surface station, which demands high energy expenditure to escape and comparable or greater amount to soft-land.
Sun-Earth
Outer planets
The outer planets are those planets in the Solar System beyond the asteroid belt, which typically refers to these gas giant planets in order of their distance from the Sun:...
or deep space
Deep Space
- Star Trek :* Battle of Deep Space Nine, the first major battle of the Dominion War* Deep Space Nine , space station in the fictional Star Trek universe* Deep Space Nine relaunch, number of novels released since 2000...
. and colonies could be used as waypoint
Waypoint
A waypoint is a reference point in physical space used for purposes of navigation.-Concept:Waypoints are sets of coordinates that identify a point in physical space. Coordinates used can vary depending on the application. For terrestrial navigation these coordinates can include longitude and...
s in space travel, to expand the practical launch window
Launch window
Launch window is a term used in spaceflight to describe a time period in which a particular launch vehicle must be launched. If the rocket does not launch within the "window", it has to wait for the next window....
for travel to and from the Earth and other planets. These positions are useful for colonies as they are stable without any need for stationkeeping.
Disadvantages
The risk of proton exposure from the solar windSolar wind
The solar wind is a stream of charged particles ejected from the upper atmosphere of the Sun. It mostly consists of electrons and protons with energies usually between 1.5 and 10 keV. The stream of particles varies in temperature and speed over time...
as well as the health threat from cosmic rays
Health threat from cosmic rays
The health threat from cosmic rays is the danger posed by galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles to astronauts on interplanetary missions.Galactic cosmic rays consist of high energy protons and other nuclei with extrasolar origin...
is significant. In the Earth-Moon system, the orbit of colonies at - will take them outside of the protection of the Earth's magnetosphere
Magnetosphere
A magnetosphere is formed when a stream of charged particles, such as the solar wind, interacts with and is deflected by the intrinsic magnetic field of a planet or similar body. Earth is surrounded by a magnetosphere, as are the other planets with intrinsic magnetic fields: Mercury, Jupiter,...
for approximately two-thirds of the time (as occurs with the Moon). Colonies at (located between the Earth and Moon) will experience this to a lesser degree while (located beyond the Moon) will experience this to a greater degree and all of them will be exposed to the little understood plasma sheet of the magnetotail.
In the Sun-Earth system, and - are all outside of the protection of the Earth's magnetosphere. periodically transfers from within the magnetotail, plasma sheet, and solar wind depending on the intensity and direction of the solar wind.