Are they inferring that the space probes are in fact slowing down gradually and that their forward velocity is decreasing ? And if they've discounted gravity as one of the possible explanations, then are they again saying indirectly that whatever this unknown force may be, that it's origin is the sun due to the statement
... being steadily pulled towards the sun
If, as they're inferring, that this "unknown force" originates in the sun, then I would assume that the reason it hasn't been detected earlier is because it is so incredibly weak compared to gravity, that its local effect has been completely masked by gravity and only when gravity has become sufficiently weak at the distances these probes currently are at, that this "unknown force" finally becomes noticeable.
But this implies that this "unknown force" doesn't seem to obey the inverse-square law that operates on gravity.
edit on 19/9/10 by tauristercus because: (no reason given)
edit on 9/20/2010 by 12m8keall2c because: removed unnecessary quote of entire previous post <br>
Quoting - Please review this link



