Lagrange point

plural Lagrange points · alternative Lagrangian point

1. orbital mechanicsastrophysicsA point in an orbital configuration of a two-body system where a small object affected only by gravity can theoretically be stationary relative to the two larger objects.

   Mathematically, the Lagrange points represent solutions to a restricted form of the three body problem in which the mass of one object is assumed negligible compared to that of the two principal bodies—as, for example, an artificial satellite and the Earth–Moon system.

   4 more examples

   Lagrange points are significant for lunar development in that raw materials, such as near-Earth objects (NEOs) can be safely stored at L-4 and L-5 prior to mining and processing.

   2008, David Schrunk, Burton Sharpe, Bonnie L. Cooper, Madhu Thangavelu, The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement, Springer, Praxis Publishing, page 57

   The $1.27-billion (1 billion euros) SOHO satellite was launched in 1995 and is flying a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). It watches solar activity from an orbit about the Lagrange Point 1, a gravitationally stable spot between Earth and the sun that is about 932,000 miles (1.5 million kilometers) from our planet.

   2013 July 28, Megan Gannon, “Spacecraft Sees Giant 'Hole' In the Sun”, in news.yahoo.com, retrieved 29 Jul 2013

   For science several of the Lagrange points are important. The question of access to Lagrange points or GSO slots emerges as these become congested.

   2016, Francis Lyall, Paul B. Larsen, Space Law, Taylor & Francis (Routledge), page 247

   The 1.2-meter-diameter (4-foot-diameter) telescope has set off on a monthlong journey to its orbital destination of the sun-Earth Lagrange point L2, which is nearly 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away from Earth and also home to NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Euclid will keep pace with Earth as our planet orbits the sun.

   2021 December 24, Don Lincoln, “The telescope that will replace Hubble will launch on Christmas. Here’s why it matters”, in CNN

   Synonyms: L-point