[net.space] An interesting Galilean development

TAW@S1-A@sri-unix (09/08/82)

From: Tom Wadlow <TAW at S1-A>
According to the San Francisco Chronicle (never a particularly reliable
source), NASA is considering the use of a gravity assist in getting
the Galileo probe to Jupiter.  The reason for this possible change in
plans is the cancellation of the wide-body Centaur upper stage.

The interesting thing about the gravity whip maneuver is the choice of
targets.  Apparently, the plan is to make a high-speed flyby of your
favorite planet and mine, namely Earth.

This brings up the rather interesting question of what can be learned
from an Earth flyby.  It seems like it might be good practice for an
interstellar probe looking for a habitable planet, but development of
that kind of technology is unlikely in the time frame involved.
Anybody got any ideas???