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New Proposed Path for Manned Trips to Mars: Let Mars' Gravity Capture Spacecraft
As illustrated in this article at io9.com, the conventional method considered for launching a manned craft to Mars might make less sense, even if it takes less time, than a more complicated but more efficient means akin to a method that's been already been successfully used to minimize the amount of fuel used in exploring both within and beyond the solar system.
Known as the "Hohmann Transfer" method, this type of maneuver is known to be effective. But it is also quite expensive and relies very heavily on timing. Hence why a new idea is being proposed which would involve sending the spacecraft out ahead of Mars' orbital path and then waiting for Mars to come on by and scoop it up.
This is what is known as "Ballistic Capture", a new technique proposed by Professor Francesco Topputo of the Polytechnic Institute of Milan and Edward Belbruno, a visiting associated researcher at Princeton University and former member of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
In their research paper, which was published in arXiv Astrophysics in late October, they outlined the benefits of this method versus traditional ones. In addition to cutting fuel costs, ballistic capture would also provide some flexibility when it comes to launch windows.
So, we start with the quote about a Hohmann Transfer, in such a way as to suggest something completely different.
I'm sure there was a good reason for that, though TFA itself manages to mangle a bit of orbital physics all on its own, in addition to whoever submitted/edited the /. suumary....
"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
Except that your terminal velocity on Mars is orders of magnitude higher than on Earth. Decelerate to subsonic then fall and you'll be back supersonic in no time.
I'm sure this is possible to do, but it absolutely requires more research and testing.
I am a proud traitor to my species in alliance with my mother the Earth in opposition to those who would destroy her.
Why is this linking to a Gawker site (IO9) instead of the actual original article at:
:(
http://www.universetoday.com/117615/making-the-trip-to-mars-cheaper-and-easier-the-case-for-ballistic-capture/
The Gawker site merely copies/pastes what the original article states plus ad LOADS of additional advertising.
How does this get past the Slashdot editors? Was this an intentional Promo or has Slashdot declined just this much these days
----- In Your Cubicle No One Can Hear You Scream...
As far as I know it's impossible to do in KSP. This is due to KSP not simulating gravitation effects from multiple bodies: you get only the gravitation effect from a single celestial body depending on which "sphere of influence" you are in. This is also why you don't have Lagrange points in KSP.