Editing 1244: Six Words
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
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The {{w|Kuiper Belt}} is a region of the outer Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune consisting of numerous small icy bodies, including the dwarf planets {{w|Pluto}} and {{w|Eris (dwarf planet)|Eris}}. An {{w|Oberth effect|Oberth maneuver}} is a spaceflight maneuver, specifically an engine burn performed during the flyby of a celestial body. The point of this is to optimize usable energy, because rocket burns are more effective to perform at high speeds than at low speeds. The more massive the body and the lower the altitude, the higher the flyby speed will be, and the greater the performance gain due to the Oberth effect. The theoretical way to use rocket fuel most efficiently is therefore to execute the burn during a flyby of the most massive celestial body available, as close as possible. | The {{w|Kuiper Belt}} is a region of the outer Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune consisting of numerous small icy bodies, including the dwarf planets {{w|Pluto}} and {{w|Eris (dwarf planet)|Eris}}. An {{w|Oberth effect|Oberth maneuver}} is a spaceflight maneuver, specifically an engine burn performed during the flyby of a celestial body. The point of this is to optimize usable energy, because rocket burns are more effective to perform at high speeds than at low speeds. The more massive the body and the lower the altitude, the higher the flyby speed will be, and the greater the performance gain due to the Oberth effect. The theoretical way to use rocket fuel most efficiently is therefore to execute the burn during a flyby of the most massive celestial body available, as close as possible. | ||
− | + | Cueball is proposing to implement an "Oberth Kuiper Maneuver", and the proposal diagram shows the spacecraft using {{w|Gravity assist|gravity assists}} to travel first towards (presumably) {{w|Venus}} for a first boost, then towards a distant planetary object for another swingby, aiming it back towards the {{w|Sun}}, the most massive Solar System body, to perform an Oberth maneuver at the point of closest approach, as indicated by a small dot along the spacecraft trajectory. (The objects in the diagram are unmarked, and the identity of the distant planetary object is controversial. One possible interpretation is that it is a Kuiper Belt object, referred to by the word "Kuiper" in the name of the proposal. Another possible interpretation is that it is {{w|Jupiter}}, and the word "Kuiper" references the Kuiper Belt as the intended destination of the spacecraft after the maneuver. (See the discussion for arguments for either interpretation.) Also, because the proposed trajectory from Earth to Venus is impossible for unpowered flight, as it does not close on itself after a full orbit, and a single gravity assist from Venus would not suffice to reach either the Kuiper Belt or Jupiter, it is possible that the diagram might only be a simplified outline of a more complex flight plan. (Alternatively, Cueball may have gotten it wrong, or the author may simply not have concerned himself with such things for the purpose of a webcomic sketch.) | |
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− | + | An Oberth maneuver in the close vicinity of the Sun, while theoretically possible and extraordinarily effective at the speeds the spacecraft would reach, would however be very difficult to carry out in real life, because the neighborhood of the Sun is an extremely hostile environment and the spacecraft could be incinerated during a too-close flyby. | |
− | The | + | Cueball's argument for why the maneuver will work in real life is that it works in {{w|Kerbal Space Program}}, an in-progress sandbox space flight simulator. While it does take into account quite a bit of the physics in a space flight, many liberties were taken in its production, such as a very simple relationship between mass and drag, and the heat and radiation stress the spacecraft would experience in close proximity of the Sun is not simulated either. The humour in referencing it lies in using a simple game program to simulate programs which take a great number of experts to implement. Use of Kerbal Space Program alone isn't a good enough argument for NASA to agree to implement the proposal; therefore one should not say it at NASA. |
− | The title text refers to | + | The title text refers to {{w|Orbiter_(simulator)|Orbiter}}, which is another space flight simulator program. The title text suggests that the argument doesn't work for NASA, not because it's not scientifically sound, but because NASA relies on the Orbiter simulator rather than the Kerbal simulator (although the proposed maneuver would appear to work in both). Note, however, that [http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57495117-93/mars-curiosity-rover-team-prefers-macs-to-pcs/ a few team members "love" to play Kerbal]. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | + | :The six words you *never* say at NASA: | |
− | :The six words you | + | :[A trajectory path involving multiple slingshots around Earth, Jupiter, and the Sun labeled "Oberth Kuiper Maneuver" is being presented by Cueball and Megan for a crowd.] |
− | + | :Cueball: And besides— it works in Kerbal Space Program. | |
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− | :Cueball: And besides— | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
− | * | + | *{{w|NASA}} is planning a mission to the sun at a closest distance of only 8.5 solar radii. The {{w|Solar Probe Plus}} will use seven Venus flybys to reach its [http://solarprobe.jhuapl.edu/index.php first close approach]. The maneuvers will last nearly seven years, before the real mission does start. |
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
− | + | [[Category:Physics]] | |
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
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