The case for more flybys |
The case for more flybys |
Oct 7 2015, 05:28 PM
Post
#16
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2530 Joined: 20-April 05 Member No.: 321 |
I took a quick glance at opportunities for Uranus/Neptune gravity assists to major KBOs. These bodies revolve so slowly that they may almost be regarded as stationary from the standpoint of planning over the next decade or two. It seems to me that Neptune seems well-placed for gravity assists to Eris or Sedna. Uranus might be well-placed for a gravity assist to Sedna if such a mission launched soon (which it won't). After another decade or two, Uranus will be positioned for gravity assists to Varuna; later, one to Orcus; still later, to Makemake and/or Haumea. Quaoar is odd-KBO out, with no opportunities for Uranus or Neptune gravity assists for a few decades.
So, a Neptune-Eris mission seems like a viable possibility in the decades to come, and a clone of that hardware might make a useful Uranus-Varuna mission. The latter mission would likely be complete before the Eris flyby from the former would take place due to the much longer cruise, which would require specialized hardware to suit the ultra-long distances. |
|
|
Nov 13 2015, 06:01 PM
Post
#17
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 204 Joined: 14-April 06 From: Seattle, WA Member No.: 745 |
Those would be great missions maybe for technology demonstration of the Heliopause Electrostatic Rapid Transit System
One can always dream! |
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 13th May 2024 - 05:32 AM |
RULES AND GUIDELINES Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting. IMAGE COPYRIGHT |
OPINIONS AND MODERATION Opinions expressed on UnmannedSpaceflight.com are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UnmannedSpaceflight.com or The Planetary Society. The all-volunteer UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderation team is wholly independent of The Planetary Society. The Planetary Society has no influence over decisions made by the UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderators. |
SUPPORT THE FORUM Unmannedspaceflight.com is funded by the Planetary Society. Please consider supporting our work and many other projects by donating to the Society or becoming a member. |