Is circumnavigation possible on Phobos or Deimos?

  • Thread starter megamind
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In summary, Yes, an astronaut could circumnavigate the surface of either Phobos or Deimos, despite their lack of mass and non-spherical shape. This is also possible for other astronomical bodies that are not completely round, such as Earth.
  • #1
megamind
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I know that Mar's moon's, Phobos and Deimos, do not have enough mass to be round, but does this mean that if an astronaut was on the surface of either of the two, they could not circumnavigate it? Is it possible to circumnavigate an astronomical body that is not completely spherical?
 
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  • #2
Of course. Just start walking until you go all the way around the moon's surface and are back where you started.
 
  • #3
megamind said:
I know that Mar's moon's, Phobos and Deimos, do not have enough mass to be round, but does this mean that if an astronaut was on the surface of either of the two, they could not circumnavigate it? Is it possible to circumnavigate an astronomical body that is not completely spherical?

It definitely is possible. You can circumnavigate the Earth and it is not completely spherical.
 

1. Can a spacecraft circumnavigate Phobos or Deimos?

Yes, a spacecraft can circumnavigate Phobos or Deimos, as they both have a spherical shape and can be orbited around.

2. What are the challenges of circumnavigating Phobos or Deimos?

The main challenge is the low gravity on both moons, which makes it difficult to maintain a stable orbit. The uneven and irregular shape of the moons can also make navigation and landing challenging.

3. Is it possible for a human to walk around Phobos or Deimos?

Technically, yes, it is possible for a human to walk around Phobos or Deimos. However, the low gravity and lack of atmosphere would make it difficult to walk or move around normally. Astronauts would need to wear specialized suits and equipment to compensate for the low gravity.

4. How long would it take to circumnavigate Phobos or Deimos?

It would take significantly less time to circumnavigate Phobos or Deimos compared to Earth's moon, as they have a much smaller circumference. On average, it would take around 4-5 hours to orbit Phobos and 30-40 hours to orbit Deimos.

5. Are there any plans to circumnavigate Phobos or Deimos in the near future?

As of now, there are no specific plans to circumnavigate Phobos or Deimos. However, NASA's Mars Exploration Program is currently conducting research and studying the moons, which could potentially lead to future missions to circumnavigate them.

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