this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2023
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The fastest ever human-made object keeps breaking its own speed record (www.popsci.com)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/technology
43 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The Parker Solar Probe's new top speed could get you from NYC to LA in just 20 seconds. It's not done yet.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Just "shedding mass" won't do it. Uncouple a payload from the mass of the ship at perihelion, and they will just float along together, side by side in their original orbit.

But, if that "mass" is "rocket fuel", and you "shed" it by burning it behind you, you've got the right idea. As the other commenter said, the Oberth effect means the closer you are to the sun, the faster you are moving, and the greater the effect that burning will have.