How long would it take to travel from Earth to Pluto on the fastest space shuttle?

griffinj

The distance from Earth to Pluto is not constant, but averages to 3.57 billion miles. The Space Shuttle orbits at 17,500 miles per hour. Therefore 205,000 hours or 8,500 days or 23 years 105 days. [Apr 08 04 6:13 PM] griffinj writes: With a solar sail, said craft would reach Pluto in "less than five years. In comparison, the New Horizons mission to Pluto, using chemical propulsion and a gravity-assist from Jupiter, is planned to take nine years to reach its target." http://www.planetary.org/solarsail/faqs.html Apr 08 04, 4:17 PM

sequoianoir

The space shuttle could get to Pluto in only a few months if the cargo bay contained a solar sail that was unfurled once it had left orbit. [Apr 08 04 6:23 PM] sequoianoir writes: Sailing to the Stars Interstellar travel is a dream. But, the pathway to reality exists. Solar sailing is the technology that takes us on to that pathway. Reflecting photons against our giant metallized ultra-thin mirrors we will gain momentum in a continuous thrust which allow us to sail past the planets of our solar system in months, not years, and fly to the stars in years, not centuries. http://www.planetary.org/solarsail/missions/sailing_tothe_stars.htm All you have to do to achieve this is make the sail bigger. Twice the size = twice the acceleration etc ... Apr 08 04, 4:58 PM

Arpeggionist

Well, the Voyager I just passed it about a year ago, yes? And when was it launched? 1977-ish? Apr 09 04, 5:15 AM