KFL@MIT-MC.ARPA ("Keith F. Lynch") (01/10/86)
From: Paul Dietz <dietz%slb-doll.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa>
... some folks at JPL have a plan for a "innerstellar" probe: a vehicle
that will travel 1000 AU out from the sun in 50 years (at about 100
km/sec) ...
I was wondering if anyone knew what propulsion system they were
considering. Two that come to mind are nuclear powered ion engines
or solar sails.
I don't know what thye are planning, but one way to leave the solar
system quickly with today's technology involves sending a probe to
loop around Jupiter and drop into a tight loop around the Sun. When
the probe reaches its closest point to the Sun, the probe fires its
rockets. By using this souble slingshot effect, you can get some
truly phenomenal velocities.
...Keith