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Which Lagrange points can be stable in the ideal system?

L4 and L5, 60 degrees ahead of and behind the smaller body along its orbit.

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  1. L1 and L2
  2. L4 and L5 ✔
  3. L2 and L3

Why: L1, L2, and L3 are unstable and require stationkeeping. Under the right mass ratio, L4 and L5 allow stable motion around triangular equilibrium regions.

Huh, didn't know that: Asteroids sharing a planet's orbit around L4 or L5 are commonly called Trojans.

The dad joke
L4 and L5 stay composed because they know all the right angles.
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References

Answer: L4 and L5. L1, L2, and L3 are unstable and require stationkeeping. Under the right mass ratio, L4 and L5 allow stable motion around triangular equilibrium regions.

  1. What Is a Lagrange Point? science.nasa.gov/resource/what-is-a-lagrange-point
    Of the five Lagrange points, three are unstable and two are stable.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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