What is a stable "lagrangian point" for high warp?

[TheBedla]

Hi all!

First of all, I know that Lagrangian points are not implemented in Unity. However, they can be partially simulated by orbiting at the same orbit as e.g. the Mun, but with a certain distance in front of or behind it (outside the SOI).

However, I found that they are not very stable; my comms relay that was about 2,800 km from the Mun got swallowed into its SOI and thus changed orbit drastically. I suppose this happened when I was warping my interplanetary probe.

Has anyone tried this (I'm sure you have)? What distance from the Mun your satellite was?

Thanks all!

Edited November 28, 2013 by TheBedla

[peadar1987]

You can simulate L3, L4, and L5 by placing probes directly on the Mun's orbit, but it has to be super-exact, otherwise the orbital period will be slightly different to the Mun's, and you will end up in its SOI. Best place to put it to avoid is probably around L3, opposite side of Kerbin to the Mun.

[Kasuha]

It doesn't have to be super-exact circular orbit. You only need to match Mun's orbital period. You can calculate your orbital period by subtracting timestamp at your AP and PE and multiplying that by two. Mun's orbital period is 138 984 seconds, i.e. 38h 36m 24s. Just put your probe anywhere along Mun's orbit (outside its SOI) and make sure its orbital period is as close as possible to that value.

Of course the safest place is opposite to Mun.

[arq]

Yup, period-matching is the way to go. With Kerbal Engineer or some other mods, you can get it down to 0.1s accuracy or better.

[Col_Jessep]

Don't forget to put 1 or 2 ion engines on your vehicle for fine adjustments. It's probably the only use they will ever have.

[ScottyDoesKnow]

What's the point of this? Couldn't you just use any orbit inside or outside that of the moon's to do your warping?

[TheBedla]

Thanks all, I'll try to match the orbital periods.