Orbiting the Moon Suppose a spacecraft orbits the moon in a very low, circular or...

Orbiting the Moon

Suppose a spacecraft orbits the moon in a very low, circular orbit, just a few hundred meters above the lunar surface. The moon has a diameter of 3500 km, and the free-fall acceleration at the surface is .

The material that comprises the side of the moon facing the earth is actually slightly more dense than the material on the far side. When the spacecraft is above a more dense area of the surface, the moon’s gravitational force on the craft is a bit stronger. In order to stay in a circular orbit of constant height and speed, the spacecraft could fire its rockets while passing over the denser area. The rockets should be fired so as to generate a force on the craft

A. Away from the surface of the moon.

B. In the direction of motion.

C. Toward the center of the moon.

D. Opposite the direction of motion.