How much of a “Course Change” is this for the Isonoids ?
It would need a rough {off top of head) 50° change in course and there us nothing out there that would induce that.
And the required change in direction is only growing larger.
Eventually it will require a nosedive.
And the energy to do that just isn’t there.
Something to keep in mind as well: just because Ison sped up as it approached the sun doesn’t mean Ison will retain that speed.
The same towards the sun force that sped Ison up still exists, so Is one remains will slow down at the same rate going out.
Most people think of gravity assists and assume that applies to comets.
Not exactly.
A gravity assist maneuverconsists of a slight change in orbit direction.
(A good illustration of such would be the “New Horizon” page showing the entry and exit course past Jupiter. Wikipedia actually, for once, has something informative on that! Lol.. Section “Jupiter gravity assist”, graphic to right.)
An orbit like Is one, or earth’s for that matter, don’t get a permaboost because it isn’t a glancing pass by.