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originally posted by: eriktheawful
Out that far, data sent would take 76 hours or 3 days to get to us, and of course any instructions we send to it would take that same amount of time.
Right now, New Horizons that's on it's way and almost at Pluto is the fastest space craft, traveling at 36,373 Mph. At that speed, it would take 160 years to get to 550 AU, so we would certainly need a faster means of travel to get there in a more reasonable amount of time.
originally posted by: Arbitrageur
a reply to: stormbringer1701
That's extremely limited though. Once the spacecraft is at 600AU, the sun is in just one direction, so that's the only direction you can use to take advantage of the sun's gravitational lensing. So, what would be the one target that's so interesting we would build a telescope to look at that one thing?
The only propulsion I'm familiar with which could get a spacecraft to 600AU relatively quickly is something like project Orion the development of which was never finished. What other propulsion technology within reach could do this in a reasonable time?
If 600AU is really the distance where you want to do your observations, then you'd also need to slow the spacecraft back down to park it there, vastly increasing the fuel requirements versus letting it continue to travel outward like Voyager.
Aren't there better and more economical alternatives?
originally posted by: Arbitrageur
a reply to: stormbringer1701
That's extremely limited though. Once the spacecraft is at 600AU, the sun is in just one direction, so that's the only direction you can use to take advantage of the sun's gravitational lensing. So, what would be the one target that's so interesting we would build a telescope to look at that one thing?
The only propulsion I'm familiar with which could get a spacecraft to 600AU relatively quickly is something like project Orion the development of which was never finished. What other propulsion technology within reach could do this in a reasonable time?
If 600AU is really the distance where you want to do your observations, then you'd also need to slow the spacecraft back down to park it there, vastly increasing the fuel requirements versus letting it continue to travel outward like Voyager.
Aren't there better and more economical alternatives?
originally posted by: eriktheawful
Out that far, data sent would take 76 hours or 3 days to get to us, and of course any instructions we send to it would take that same amount of time.
Right now, New Horizons that's on it's way and almost at Pluto is the fastest space craft, traveling at 36,373 Mph. At that speed, it would take 160 years to get to 550 AU, so we would certainly need a faster means of travel to get there in a more reasonable amount of time.
Fortunately; you are so wrong. How long has voyager been on mission? and it may go to 2025 if the RTG holds up.
originally posted by: samkent
In short we don't have systems that would function that long.
Fortunately; you are so wrong. How long has voyager been on mission? and it may go to 2025 if the RTG holds up.
originally posted by: samkent
a reply to: stormbringer1701
Now what power supply do you think can run for 160 Years without repairs?
originally posted by: samkent
I'm afraid storm and jade are putting too much belief in 'future now' stories.
I have been in electronics for 40+ years.
They may have ICs that can 'think' around a failure to a limited extent. But that's only a small part of a total electronic system.
You are not going to self repair a transmitter.
You are not going to self repair a power regulator.
You can install redundant circuits but that adds weight and reduces overall reliability.
You run into the law of diminishing returns.
Once you add all the extra systems your speed increase disappears.
RTGs for power are not the panacea you might believe.
Their efficiency is horrible. About 5%.
Their life span is greatly reduced by material degradation.
I doubt you could get a manufacturer to rate one for 50% power beyond 25 years.
I know the Voyagers are doing better than that but it's more luck than design.
This is one mission that is too far and too long. No budget man is going to risk the money needed with little chance of success.
originally posted by: samkent
I'm afraid storm and jade are putting too much belief in 'future now' stories.
originally posted by: JadeStar
originally posted by: eriktheawful
Out that far, data sent would take 76 hours or 3 days to get to us, and of course any instructions we send to it would take that same amount of time.
Right now, New Horizons that's on it's way and almost at Pluto is the fastest space craft, traveling at 36,373 Mph. At that speed, it would take 160 years to get to 550 AU, so we would certainly need a faster means of travel to get there in a more reasonable amount of time.
We already have faster means at least on paper. We just haven't built it yet.