From: vince@offshore.ai (Vincent Cate)
Newsgroups: sci.space.tech
Subject: Re: speaking of comets
References: <3fc0c9bf_4@corp.newsgroups.com>
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Message-ID: <9186edb5.0311250602.715bfad5@posting.google.com>

"Lynndel Humphreys" <lynndel@xtn.net> wrote in message news:<3fc0c9bf_4@corp.newsgroups.com>...
> Would it be possible for a Voyager class probe to hitch a ride on a comet?
> Deep space or what?

There was actually an interesting proposal in JBIS for a vehicle 
in the asteroid belt to get some momentum from many different small 
asteroids using a tether.  The vehicle would shoot a tether off to 
the side as a small asteroid was passing it.  The tether would do a 
momentum exchange and then release the asteroid.  They then would 
look for another one.  They had calculations for how often you could 
find one that would work.  They had to use a thruster to get in 
position, but most of the delta-V was from the tether/asteroid.  

It is at least a fun idea.

  -- Vince