How far will NH pass by Pluto?, - and will it be possible to effect a meaningful course change? |
How far will NH pass by Pluto?, - and will it be possible to effect a meaningful course change? |
Guest_Oersted_* |
Apr 16 2008, 02:16 PM
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Guests |
So, from what I gather, NH will pass by Pluto at a speed of around 14 km/s. I know it won't be able to slow down in any way, and will continue into deep space afterwards, but is a substantial course change envisaged at Pluto, or will it fly by so far away that the course change will be negligible?
I realise that the instruments must be optimised for a pass at a certain distance, but what distance is that and could it possible by reduced with no ill effects? It would be mindblowing if a low pass over Pluto could be planned so that NH will fly close by Charon as well, wouldn't it? - Or maybe even - to go really out on a limb - a few high-speed figure 8's around both bodies, before the probe continues on its merry way. Would that even be physically possible? At least I'm not suggesting aero-braking if Pluto turns out to have a tenuous atmosphere. |
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Apr 16 2008, 03:04 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1018 Joined: 29-November 05 From: Seattle, WA, USA Member No.: 590 |
Or maybe even - to go really out on a limb - a few high-speed figure 8's around both bodies, before the probe continues on its merry way. I remember how disappointed I was when I learned that a figure 8 isn't a possible orbit. (Neither is a spiral, for that matter.) If we could just post equations in here, maybe we could have a thread on orbital mechanics . . . --Greg |
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Guest_Oersted_* |
Apr 16 2008, 06:38 PM
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#3
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Guests |
I remember how disappointed I was when I learned that a figure 8 isn't a possible orbit. (Neither is a spiral, for that matter.) If we could just post equations in here, maybe we could have a thread on orbital mechanics . . . --Greg Why isn't a figure 8 or just an S-shaped orbit physically possible? (as opposed to just being not desirable for coverage reasons). Thanks for all the replies and graphics, enlightening indeed! - And not just for me, I'm happy to say, since we seem to have an update on the pass parameters. |
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