Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 78.8k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • 'Dale

    4541

  • Hairy

    4312

  • gummibear

    3909

  • Eddy Gordo

    3867

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted

great explanation here from a poster on The Guardian website as to why the New Horizons probe could not be made to orbit Pluto, but was only able to do a flyby.

 

 
6 7

Current rocket technology can get a small probe to Jupiter (and just barely). In order to get to the outer planets you need to use Jupiter or in the case of the Cassini probe Venus to slingshot it out. The planet that you use to increase speed from must be in a proper position in order for this to work, otherwise you will miss your target destination.
New Horizons was able to use Jupiter in order to increase its speed and make it to Pluto. A certain velocity of about 5km per second is necessary at a minimum because below that the sun's gravity will slow the probe, and may even start pulling it back.
So to answer your question in order to put NH into orbit you would need an amount of fuel equal to the rocket that sent it into space plus the amount fuel needed to stop it from the speed it got from Jupiter's gravitational assist. That's a lot of fuel, and really beyond anyone's current technological capabilities. Sorry if this sounds a little muddled. I'm writing this on an iPhone.

Posted

Talking of young Jedis...the other day I was moaning to my son about Scar, the boxer that has taken over my house since I got him from Wayne. He's so nasal when he cruises around that I said to Breandan that it was like having a teenage Darth Vader in the house.

 

"But, Dad," he said smugly, "if he was a teen, that would make him Anakin Skywalker..."   

Posted

Talking of young Jedis...the other day I was moaning to my son about Scar, the boxer that has taken over my house since I got him from Wayne. He's so nasal when he cruises around that I said to Breandan that it was like having a teenage Darth Vader in the house.

 

"But, Dad," he said smugly, "if he was a teen, that would make him Anakin Skywalker..."   

 

 

Yeah, thinking of cancelling my internet access, I have a teenager in the house...they seem to know fkn everything...

Posted

Yeah, thinking of cancelling my internet access, I have a teenager in the house...they seem to know fkn everything...

:clap:  :D

Posted

Yeah, thinking of cancelling my internet access, I have a teenager in the house...they seem to know fkn everything...

 

 

:clap:  :D

won't make a difference if I go my soon to be 10 year old's "worldly knowledge" ...... 

Guest notmyname
Posted

Yeah, thinking of cancelling my internet access, I have a teenager in the house...they seem to know fkn everything...

Employ him now, while he still knows everything. Gold mine.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout