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To: no-s
The magnetic field may act differentially on the solar wind particles, resulting in a net force which is other than straight out.

How differentially are we talking? It would have to be pretty close to a 90-degree angle in order for this transfer orbit to result in less than a three-year trip back, I would think.

120 posted on 05/27/2002 12:20:17 PM PDT by inquest
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To: no-s
It would have to be pretty close to a 90-degree angle in order for this transfer orbit to result in less than a three-year trip back, I would think.

...unless, these sails could be used to slow down sideways momentum, so that the ship could fall in more of a straight line. It's starting to look better now.

121 posted on 05/27/2002 12:26:13 PM PDT by inquest
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To: inquest
The return trip time will be about the same as the trip out, depending of course on the movement of the planets in the heavens...

Remember on the trip out, the spacecraft must arrive at Mars orbit where Mars is. So it's not an interception trajectory. Similarly on the return. I imagine it will be a constant acceleration gig the entire way, tho.

122 posted on 05/27/2002 3:11:07 PM PDT by no-s
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