The Legacy of Apollo-Era Spacecraft: Parts Still in Orbit

The journey to the Moon and back during the Apollo era of space exploration left a significant mark on the cosmos. Although most of the debris has been brought back to Earth or pushed into the lunar surface, some intriguing remnants still orbit the Sun and the Moon. Let's delve into the details of these fascinating pieces of history.

Orbital Remnants of Apollo-Era Missions

During the Apollo missions, standard procedure involved disposing of spent rocket stages either by impacting them on the Moon or sending them into a heliocentric orbit. However, some of these leftover parts have defied expectations and continue to intrigue astronauts and space enthusiasts alike.

Third Stage Orbits: The landing stages of the Apollo 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 10, Apollo 11, and Apollo 12 parachuted to the Moon's surface, while the third stages were deployed into solar orbit. These stages, composed of solid-fueled engines, represent a key component of the Saturn V rocket that lifted the lunar modules from Earth to the Moon.

In the case of the Apollo 12 mission, a remarkable piece of history unfolded. In 2002, a tiny asteroid labeled J002E3 was discovered. Its unusual orbit and spectroscopic analysis revealed a white titanium dioxide paint coating, a material synonymous with NASA. This discovery suggested that J002E3 was likely the Apollo 12 third stage. Given the known orbits of the other third stages, the discrepancy in J002E3's path points towards its origin from the Apollo 12 mission.

Unknowns and Discoveries

Despite the diligent efforts of tracking technology, there are still pieces of space debris that remain unaccounted for. The lack of advanced tracking capabilities during the Apollo era meant that some debris might have drifted off course and ended up in unexpected locations. These pieces of space junk have occasionally been mistaken for new asteroids by scientists, only to reveal their true origins with further analysis.

One of the most intriguing cases involves the Apollo 10’s ascent stage. Initially, it was assumed to have also crashed and been lost. However, recent sightings of the asteroid 2018 AV2 have led astronomers to suspect that it is the Apollo 10 ascent stage. The albedo (reflectivity) of 2018 AV2 matches the known properties of the paint NASA used on that stage, thus confirming its identity.

Conclusion

The legacy of the Apollo missions continues to resonate, not just through our collective memories but also through the tangible remnants still floating in space. These debris pieces, while remnants of a bygone era of space exploration, serve as a fascinating reminder of human ingenuity and the impact of our space endeavors.

Whether it's the third stages orbiting the Sun or the forgotten ascent stage causing a stir among astronomers, these pieces of the Apollo legacy continue to captivate and intrigue us in the vast expanse of space.