The difference is that Cruithne always stays in front of the Earth in it’s orbit while 2016 HO3 is sometimes behind the Earth.
In both asteroid’s cases, the orbit is around the sun, They are just in very similar orbits as the Earth. While they have a different path around the sun, they still take the same amount of time.
IANRS (I’m no rocket scientist…) so I’m a little fuzzy on the math. But, it seems this would be a great candidate to grab and bring into Earth orbit to study first hand and to play with. Any idea what the fuel requirements would be to nudge this rock our way?
While I’m OK with going with atomic rocket power, I’m unaware of any decent ones available at this time. I would also expect many environmental groups would go nuts at the idea of launching one into space…
Meh, small quantities of unrefined U238 with it’s inherent -235 on repeated missions. Then finally a Plutonium trigger and even the trace -235 goes boom. One kick at the right time gives you a new orbit.
Why a ‘quasi’ satellite if it is in a stable orbit?
It’s a “quasi” satellite of the Earth because it’s actually in a rather unusual orbit around the Sun.
For an example with animation see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3753_Cruithne
The difference is that Cruithne always stays in front of the Earth in it’s orbit while 2016 HO3 is sometimes behind the Earth.
In both asteroid’s cases, the orbit is around the sun, They are just in very similar orbits as the Earth. While they have a different path around the sun, they still take the same amount of time.
IANRS (I’m no rocket scientist…) so I’m a little fuzzy on the math. But, it seems this would be a great candidate to grab and bring into Earth orbit to study first hand and to play with. Any idea what the fuel requirements would be to nudge this rock our way?
With our luck it would end up running into earth.
Very little fuel if you are willing to go atomic.
While I’m OK with going with atomic rocket power, I’m unaware of any decent ones available at this time. I would also expect many environmental groups would go nuts at the idea of launching one into space…
Meh, small quantities of unrefined U238 with it’s inherent -235 on repeated missions. Then finally a Plutonium trigger and even the trace -235 goes boom. One kick at the right time gives you a new orbit.
Lotsa math. Anybody know a good rocket scientist?