November Mission Model Discussion: M12 - SATELLITE ORBITS

Welcome to the November Mission Model Discussion! From now until just before Thanksgiving this space will feature ONE part of the FIRST LEGO League INTO ORBIT game challenge per day. The Robot Game is only 1/4th of the overall FIRST LEGO League challenge for teams this year!
This post is meant to be an aid, not a replacement for carefully reading the Challenge Guide and Updates!

Today we will explore M12 - SATELLITE ORBITS

At the Beginning of the Match

Satellites V (the one with the two long dark blue arms) and C (the one with the long yellow arm) begin in Base. Satellite X (with the four blue panels as seen above) begins set loosely on the X mark in the inner orbit of the orange planet in the Northeast corner.  The loops of the Satellites should all have the U-loop shape, they should not be distorted nor look like a bell curve.

Required for Scoring

Move any part of a Satellite so it is on or above the area between the two lines of the Outer Orbit of the orange planet on the mat in the Northeast corner.

Update

U05 - It is understood that your Robot will damage the Satellite Models, and that the volunteers taking care of them will make errors when rebuilding them.

• Teams: Satellites will have their basic bodies on their bases, with undistorted loops, but the precision of their finer details shall be considered random.
• Field Resetters: Please ignore what was written above, and do your best to maintain properly built Satellites.  Keep hi-res pictures with you if needed.
• Referees: R17 shall not apply for the Satellite Models, and GP3 should have slightly wider range than usual.

Points

0 - No Satellite is on or above the area between the two lines of the Outer Orbit
8 - One Satellite (any of them) is on or above the target area
16 - Two Satellites are on or above the target area
24 - All three Satellites are on or above the target area

Note from Oregon Head Referee Tom

They Satellites are fragile. Please use care when handling them in Base, especially when you will not be attempting this mission.

Real World Impact

Satellites are essential devices for looking down at a planet or moon, for looking out into space, and for relaying communications around a sphere and on to other satellites around other planets or moons. In order for satellites to function properly, they must maintain an orbit that keeps them high enough to keep from being pulled down by gravity but also pulled enough by gravity to maintain a circular orbit and not drift off into space. Placing satellites requires getting them into just the right spot. 

Discussion

Moving the satellites appears to be simple, but getting each satellite on or above the correct zone requires a lot of navigation and possibly a lot of time. Remember your robot game run only lasts for 2.5 minutes! Are the points worth the time it takes to move all three satellites into scoring position? Is there a more efficient way to do it?