Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Charles on 18/07/2010 20:30:02

Title: How long would it take to reach Uranus with gravity assist from the Sun?
Post by: Charles on 18/07/2010 20:30:02

Charles asked the Naked Scientists:
   Is it possible to send a probe to the outer solar system using gravity assist from the sun? if so, how long will it take to reach the orbit of uranus?
 
great show, Charles        

What do you think?

Title: How long would it take to reach Uranus with gravity assist from the Sun?
Post by: Soul Surfer on 19/07/2010 00:31:11

No it is not possible to use the sun to create a gravity assist.  one of the other planets has to be used  Jupiter is the best but it has to be in the right part of its orbit  for the assist to work.  This was one of the main reasons for sending the Voyager probes when we did because the gravity assist grand tour of the outer planets was only feasible for a short window in a very long time

Title: How long would it take to reach Uranus with gravity assist from the Sun?
Post by: syhprum on 20/07/2010 16:40:59

Although no direct gravity assist can be obtained from the Sun it is very useful to loop vehicles around the Sun to bring them into the proximity of planets where they can obtain a boost.

Title: How long would it take to reach Uranus with gravity assist from the Sun?
Post by: yor_on on 28/07/2010 09:41:18

Sadly enough there don't seem to be any journeys planned that way.

missions planned by NASA (http://science.nasa.gov/missions/)
Uranus (http://library.thinkquest.org/C002416/uranus/discovering.htm)