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If we send a Voyager-sized probe to Alpha/Beta Centauri, could we use a similar gravity assist to slingshot around one of the stars? How good is our aim across
by stephengillie 8y ago
If we send a Voyager-sized probe to Alpha/Beta Centauri, could we use a similar gravity assist to slingshot around one of the stars?
How good is our aim across 4.4 light years?
- bdamm 8y agoJudging from New Horizon's targeting capabilities and assuming the "discarded" light sail still has guidance then I'd conclude our aim could be amazingly good!
- Chris_Jay 8y agoWouldn't we have a robot steer the light sail as it got closer? Genuine question, this is well outside my wheelhouse.
- undersuit 8y agoI think that's the right answer, as it got closer the exact parameters for the slingshot could be refined with images of the system taken a few lightdays out with a strong camera. So we just need that robot really.
- shodan666 8y agoNo. It would took around 200.000 years in order to reach Alpha Centauri by Voyage. It is flying MUCH slower than speed of light.