The Planetary Grand Tour [wikipedia.org] was reduced from 4 to 2 probes but those Voyagers are great space exploration success.
Such planetary configuration will occur again in quite a long time, about 130 years, however we must be able by then to launch a new set of probes to take advantage of the gravitational slingshots [wikipedia.org]. I'm afraid humanity might not be able to achieve this in case of new economic crisis at that time or because of some world conflicts, society collapse, whatever may distract us (or impede us) from working on the challenge.
How do you feel about this next window?
Shall we start to think about it and show to short-sighted politicians that great scientific challenges are at stake?
At least there's a chance that this event would be considered indisputable by everybody, unlike some other scientific phenomenons which will have great (negative) impact on us.
Next Planetary Grand Tour, a visionary perspective (Score:2)
The Planetary Grand Tour [wikipedia.org] was reduced from 4 to 2 probes but those Voyagers are great space exploration success.
Such planetary configuration will occur again in quite a long time, about 130 years, however we must be able by then to launch a new set of probes to take advantage of the gravitational slingshots [wikipedia.org]. I'm afraid humanity might not be able to achieve this in case of new economic crisis at that time or because of some world conflicts, society collapse, whatever may distract us (or impede us) from working on the challenge.
How do you feel about this next window?
Shall we start to think about it and show to short-sighted politicians that great scientific challenges are at stake?
At least there's a chance that this event would be considered indisputable by everybody, unlike some other scientific phenomenons which will have great (negative) impact on us.