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_* |
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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. ![]() At least I'm not suggesting aero-braking if Pluto turns out to have a tenuous atmosphere. ![]() |
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#2
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 903 Joined: 30-January 05 Member No.: 162 ![]() |
Among several difficulties for the existence of a Plutonian ring system would be atmospheric drag effects. The low gravity allows the thin atmosphere to waft quite high during close approaches (heh, heh) to the sun. Even just a tiny bit of gas up to the top of the Roche limit would doom a ring system.
But if the wafty atmosphere is bad news for a ring, it is good news for any orbiter or lander we may wish to send there. In another thread here, decels of up to 40 Gs seem to be possible in traversing the atmosphere. |
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