8 ms·
> "Gravitational assists can help, but they can also help you get other places." Without gravitational assists, you need ~30km/s to drop into the sun, and far
by Crito 12y ago
> "Gravitational assists can help, but they can also help you get other places."
Without gravitational assists, you need ~30km/s to drop into the sun, and far less to go other places. With gravitational assists both can be easier, but going to the sun will still be one of the harder places to go.
That aside, if you are going to loop it around Venus, why not just hit Venus? I'm sure Venus wouldn't mind.
- 3JPLW 12y agoYes, I did read that. But what I didn't understand is why you were disregarding what seems to be a key part of interplanetary travel. The point that johngalt and I are making is that "falling" isn't the only way to get there. Now, the real point seems to be that the Sun's gravity doesn't help you get there — in fact it works against you! You must rely on very precise calculations and instrumentation to target yourself there. So why not dive straight into another planet instead of using it for a gravity assist. That I can understand.