http://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-s-newest-spacecraft-concept-hitchhikes-across-the-galaxy
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/comet-hitchhiker-would-take-tour-of-small-bodies
"This technique is analogous to fishing on Earth. Imagine you're on a boat on a lake with a fishing pole, and want to catch a big fish. Once the fish bites, you would release more of the line with a moderate tension, rather than holding it tightly. With a long enough line, the boat will eventually catch up with the fish.
Once the spacecraft matches its velocity to the "fish" -- the comet or asteroid in this case -- it is ready to land by simply reeling in the tether and descending gently. When it's time to move on to another celestial target, the spacecraft would use the harvested energy to quickly retrieve the tether, which accelerates the spacecraft away from the body."
"Hitchhiking a celestial body is not as simple as sticking out your thumb, because it flies at an astronomical speed and it won’t stop to pick you up. Instead of a thumb, our idea is to use a harpoon and a tether."
What? Not even if we have a towel?
Well, that's disappointing.
No comments:
Post a Comment