The Incredible Journey of Apollo 10's Lost Lunar Module

🚀Apollo 10's lunar module, Snoopy, was abandoned by the crew during a rehearsal for the Apollo 11 mission.

🌙Snoopy was left to orbit the Moon and was expected to crash into it. However, it was sent on a trajectory far away from the astronauts.

🔭Astronomers searched for Snoopy for years, using limited data to pinpoint its possible location.

🌌In 2018, astronomers discovered a faint object that matched the predicted position of Snoopy, but further analysis is needed to confirm.

🛰️Snoopy is the only spacecraft once occupied by humans that is still traveling through space.

Why was Snoopy abandoned?

—Snoopy was a lunar module used during the Apollo 10 mission as a rehearsal for the Apollo 11 moon landing. After testing its systems, the crew left Snoopy behind in lunar orbit.

How did astronomers find Snoopy?

—Astronomers used limited data from the mission to predict Snoopy's possible location. In 2018, they discovered a faint object that matched the predictions. Further analysis is needed to confirm if it is indeed Snoopy.

What will happen to Snoopy in the future?

—Snoopy will continue its journey through space, occasionally making close flybys of Earth. In 2028, astronomers will have the opportunity to perform spectroscopy observations to confirm its identity.

Is Snoopy the only abandoned spacecraft in space?

—Yes, Snoopy is the only spacecraft once occupied by humans that is still traveling through space. Its incredible journey has made it a subject of interest for astronomers.

What was the purpose of the Apollo 10 mission?

—Apollo 10 was a rehearsal for the Apollo 11 moon landing. The crew tested the lunar module's systems and descended to just 15 kilometers above the lunar surface.

00:00The Apollo 10 crew left behind Snoopy, the lunar module, during their mission.

02:24NASA lost track of Snoopy's location after it was sent on a trajectory away from the astronauts.

04:02Astronomers searched for Snoopy based on limited data and predictions of its trajectory.

06:19In 2018, astronomers discovered a faint object that matched the predicted position of Snoopy.

07:56Further analysis is needed to confirm if the discovered object is indeed Snoopy.