- This article is about the asteroid. For episode with the same name, see Goldilocks (episode). For the capture mission, see Goldilocks capture mission.
Goldilocks, also known as 2003LC, was an asteroid in the Solar System. In fall 2003, it was captured and brought into a stable orbit around Mars, becoming the planet's third moon.[1]
History[]
Discovery[]
In summer 2003, the Thomas Paine Space Telescope picked up images of an unknown object in the vicinity of Jupiter, which was believed to be an asteroid decayed from a Jovian trojan orbit. The object got the designation 2003LC, and further studies revealed it was redirected to the inner Solar System, coming in on a Mars-crossing orbit. After an analysis of its moon, it was believed to have an estimate of 70,000 metric tons of Iridium, valued at $20 trillion. Because of this, 2003LC was nicknamed the "Goldilocks" asteroid. While economists believed it could lead to an economic boom, others were skeptical as the breakthrough in Helium-3 led to the loss of many jobs. Fyodor Korzhenko also questioned the legitimacy of the discovery, believing the Soviet Union being the only reliable source of Iridium.[2]
Capturing mission[]
Mining[]
- Main article: Kuznetsov Station
Gallery[]
_3.png "FAM 410 58.59 Goldilocks hijacked (news) 3.png (1.74 MB)")
See also[]
References
- ↑ For All Mankind TV series, season 4, episode 10, "Perestroika"
- ↑ For All Mankind TV series, season 4, episode 5, "Goldilocks"