Re: Wherein the Beast displays simplistic thinking Re: Spaaaaaace Patrol!

devans@uneb.edu wrote:
> Er, how far out are you looking? By Uranus, you have an orbital period
of
> 84 years, beyond Pluto, greater than 250.
> 
> Even admitting that the redirected object only has to make a half or
less
> orbit, and that it will be picking up 'speed' as it closes with the
target,
> it would STILL be a generational project. Given that a low energy
approach
> sounds like a slow spiral in, beginning with several near current
orbits,
> we're talking eons.

	Well, the article was talking about objects about the orbit
	of Saturn, but even then they were talking about 10 years 
	under thrust followed by a 20 year transit time to Mars.  
	So your observation still applies.

	The article did make a point that it is not necessary to 
	move the object into an elliptical orbit.  One can move it
	into an orbit that intersect the gravity well of a gas giant
	so as to take advantage of a gravity assist maneuver.

	Of course, by this time, there may well be other human colonies