2 ms·

Kurzgesagt has a video that explains why it isn't a good idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us2Z-WC9rao https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us2Z-WC9rao

• o11c 3y ago
  That's once again repeating the same misunderstanding as far as orbital mechanics. Yes, a collision-only slingshot needs precision. But we're good at precision maneuvers with modern computers. (it is correct that getting past Earth's orbit in the first place requires a bit of delta-v though, which I suppose I glossed over.)
  • JumpCrisscross 3y ago
    > collision-only slingshot needs precision. But we're good at precision maneuvers with modern computers That precision doesn’t get around the physics. Why do you think none of our missions to the inner Solar System have tried this?
  • lxgr 3y ago
    You don't need to just "get past Earth's orbit", you need to deorbit out of Earth's orbit around the sun if you want to reach the sun. This requires a much higher (at least double) delta-v than leaving Earth's gravity well alone.