Tidal Locking

In case you didn't already know, the earth and the moon have a synchronic relationship. What this means is that the rotation of the asteroid is matched to its orbital speed. Therefore, since the dawn of time, man has looked up to see the same side of Luna over and over again. The dark side of the moon was a complete mystery until man finally made orbit around her in the 1960s.

Science claims that the same forces that cause our oceans' tides maintain this synchronic relationship between the earth and the moon. This force is attempting to slow the earth's orbit at the same time, and it is moving the oceans in a predictable way due to the central gravitational point between the two bodies. These forces are referred to as 'tidal locking'. We can measure the effect, and observe the facts, but what exactly created this situation is highly debatable.

The Apollo Command Module orbited the moon countless times with a single astronaut in the late sixties and early seventies while the LEM landed with two men to collect rocks and perform experiments. It was an ingenious combination of cooperation, communication, wits, and courage. As the service module rounded its orbit to the far side of the moon, all communication was blacked out with both the men on the moon's surface, and Mission Control in Houston Texas, until the earth would break over the moon's horizon into a dawn that must have been spectacular. Yet this time spent before re-establishing communication may have been the loneliest moments ever spent by a human being. Or was it?

"Houston, this is Wayfarer. I can see we're coming up to another blackout."

"That affirmative Wayfarer. We'll be here on the flip-flop. Blackout in 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,…," then static. Army Nielson listened, as the buzzing static became a drone and finally total silence. He thought to begin a conversation with himself, but it would sound too corny, even if he was the only one to hear it.

There were half a dozen maintenance operations to perform but as Army started moving about he strained to look out of the small window every time he passed it. The moon was glistening, beckoning him to stare out and admire it. Duty called, however, and he reckoned that there would be time later to loiter in the lunar glow and dream about strolling on the ancient dust that had not budged since before the first man sparked a fire and began to warm himself on the distant earth.

Floating in the confines of the spacecraft was both luxurious and frustrating. Army wished he could go outside and tether a few hundred feet or so. Accelerating was blissfully simple in zero gravity, and he wondered if a thought would be enough to break the law of inertia. Then, with the passing of such imagination, Army became aware of the strangest notion. He felt like someone had been listening to his mind.

No, it couldn't be. He passed the portal once again, and this time he stopped to have a glance. Luna was shining, but ahead the shadow of night was waiting. He could see the line ahead in the white of dust and solar rays. But then something moved below and Army pressed his nose onto the cold glass to follow it. No, he thought. It was only my imagination.

Dark came quickly as he now was opposite the sun and rounding towards a dawn that would only be a short time away. He turned to return to his chores when suddenly a light flashed from the surface below.