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 Replies: 12 / Views: 5,618 |
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New Member
United States
6 Posts |
I came across this commemorative medal from the Apollo 11 program a while back. After searching through other space memorabilia websites and online collections, I have not yet come across another one of these, and I don't know anything about its origins. At first glance it doesn't seem to be the highest quality production, but it's still interesting. Does anyone out there know anything about this medal, or the equations that are on the reverse side? I'm guessing they have something to do with orbital mechanics or flight trajectories, but I really have no idea. The first one, F=ma, is "Force = mass times acceleration". It seems to be made of a copper alloy, is 65mm in diameter (2.56 inches), and weighs about 45 grams (1.6 ounces).   |
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
The equation is one of Newton's laws. Force equals mass times the rate of acceleration.
Check with NASA about it. They have a really good site. You can get some really cool FREE ringtones there -- like "Houston, we have a problem."
Anyway, somebody there in public relations might know the history of that medal.
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Moderator
 Australia
16849 Posts |
The second equation, "delta-V equals..." has to do with space flight; how much change of velocity you get from burning so much fuel.
The third equation, "L/D equals..." calculates the lift/drag ratio. Since "drag" only affects an Apollo mission at two stages, launch and re-entry, and since there's not too much "lift" happening on a re-entering Apollo capsule, I would assume this one has to do with the launch.
I can't read the fourth or fifth ones clearly enough to hazard a guess as to their nature.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
P.S. Could you let me know what you find out?
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
 Sap -- I only got a 'C' in college physics. I'll bet you did better than that! LOL |
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New Member
 United States
6 Posts |
The "lift/drag" ratio is a good place to start. Thanks for the pointers. I recognize the "32.2" in that equation as the freefall acceleration in earth's gravity (ft/s^2), but I don't recognize anything else. This will get me looking at the right reference materials, but keep throwing those ideas out there if something looks familiar. Thanks again!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1205 Posts |
maybe it was given out at a yearly physics award ceremony..tying in the moon landing...just a far-out thought..
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
My dad has this exact coin. He received it while working for NASA.
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Okay, so now there's two of them.....  Any more? they are so cool |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
Well, now there's 3. My dad worked with TRW, a company that worked closely with NASA, during the start of the space program.
Did you find anything out about it? Possibly value?
Thanks.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
I think that last equation has something to do with the basis of the workings of the Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator.
BTW - definitely a cool medal!
How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
I guess it's true; Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are remembered for eternity because they set foot on the Moon, but the Apollo 11 astronauts who remained in the command module are shamefully forgotten: Michael Collins and Duck Dodgers!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10038 Posts |
Interesting fact about Michael Collins my History teacher shared that has stuck with me for years. When Collins circled to the back side of the moon, into blackness, the farthest from the rest of mankind that any human had ever been, and totally out of contact from humankind, he was the first man to be able to say he TRULY knew what the word "alone" meant. ponder that - it took guts that's for sure!
How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 5,618 |
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Posted 09/25/2011 9:01 pm
