Difference between revisions of "Talk:1291: Shoot for the Moon"

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the comic was mentioned in [http://what-if.xkcd.com/109/ What If #109]. --[[User:Valepert|valepert]] ([[User talk:Valepert|talk]]) 19:53, 21 August 2014 (UTC)
 
the comic was mentioned in [http://what-if.xkcd.com/109/ What If #109]. --[[User:Valepert|valepert]] ([[User talk:Valepert|talk]]) 19:53, 21 August 2014 (UTC)
  
With this comic being referenced in what if 109, and the possibility of it becoming a recurring joke, I wonder it what if 13 is also relevant here, an attempt to destroy the Moon with lasers.
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With this comic being referenced in what if 109, and the possibility of it becoming a recurring joke, I wonder it what if 13 is also relevant here, an attempt to destroy the Moon with lasers. {{unsigned ip|108.162.217.11}}

Revision as of 17:34, 8 September 2014

Danish, not Megan, right?! 108.162.216.56 06:33, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

The woman in this comic looks more similar to Megan than Danish. 108.162.216.45 07:39, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

Three meanings of shoot are used: 1. Have high plans 2. Fire a weapon 3. Aim for navigation. Sebastian --173.245.53.122 07:01, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure this is Megan, Danish have longer hair 108.162.208.172 12:18, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

The so far uncommented-about title text seems to be (almost What-If-ishly) literal in a completely different way. Except that I'm pretty sure you'll not stay within sight of the Earth, for most trajecectories. But you'd maybe find yourself in a complexly resonant orbit, maybe Cruithne-like. Just putting that out there. Resident orbital mechanics experts please feel free to evaluate accordingly. 141.101.99.210 17:05, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

Title text of course only applies to prograde approach. Retrograde would put you on a free return trajectory if you miss. (This is why Apollo used a retrograde approach, in case something went wrong on the far side, they wouldn't be stranded in a solar orbit.) --199.27.128.149 20:05, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

No time for more investigations (I will do soon):

Megan does act like JFK in 1962
The first Moon probes did not reach the Moon but entered a solar orbit as the title text does mention
There are many statements by Randall: hH does not like that JFK (propaganda).
Help me for more

--Dgbrt (talk) 23:35, 15 November 2013 (UTC)

Megan is clearly not quoting JFK.

Simple observation tells us that a an object sent on a moon flyby will enter solar orbit. The escape velocity of the earth is 11km/s but the escape velocity of the solar system is like four times that. Therefore, unless we accidentally accelarate the probe to over 40km/s, it will certainly remain in solar orbit.

There are only four comics listed in the JFK category and in two of them, the mention is incidental. I don't see any evidence that Randall "does not like that JFK", nor would I expect to. 108.162.219.58 01:48, 5 February 2014 (UTC)

the comic was mentioned in What If #109. --valepert (talk) 19:53, 21 August 2014 (UTC)

With this comic being referenced in what if 109, and the possibility of it becoming a recurring joke, I wonder it what if 13 is also relevant here, an attempt to destroy the Moon with lasers. 108.162.217.11 (talk) (please sign your comments with ~~~~)