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Gravity there is so low that something like a light push may be enough to launch. If anything used to examine the surface makes contact and presses (drill, digg
by ctdonath 12y ago
Gravity there is so low that something like a light push may be enough to launch. If anything used to examine the surface makes contact and presses (drill, digger), good-bye lander.
Firing the harpoon would also be enough to launch, but at least the hook would grab the surface and pull the lander back down, giving enough pull to drill viable long-term anchors.
- mVChr 12y agoAre there any forces in effect as it gets closer and swings around the sun that might cause it to separate from the comet if there is no further attachment by then?
- JoeAltmaier 12y agoAbsolutely! If its attached, its via surface ice. That ice will all melt on close approach to the sun. At some point the probe will drift away.
- mVChr 12y agoOf course, I should have deduced that. Is the harpoon expected to go deep enough to prevent this from happening?