File:Lagrange B.jpg

Lagrange points with force contour lines.

Lagrange points 1-5 of the Sun-Earth system

Diagram of the Lagrange Point gravitational forces associated with the Sun-Earth system. WMAP orbits around L2, which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two body system like the Sun and the Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion. The forces at L2 tend to keep WMAP aligned on the Sun-Earth axis, but requires course correction to keep the spacecraft from moving toward or away from the Earth.

Note: Image is not to scale

http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_ig/ig_mission3.html
http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/m_mm/ob_techorbit1.html

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