AboutKenneth Renshaw Expertise Answer basic space flight questions, research info on specific space flights. Answer questions on astronomy
Experience Amateur astronomer and avid astronomy/space flight fan for 31 years.
Organizations Official NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador for Arkansas and Missouri (one of about 300 nationwide). (http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/profiles/Kenneth_Renshaw.htm)
Expert: Kenneth Renshaw Date: 7/5/2008 Subject: Newton/Einstein use in calculation of a space flight
Question Kenneth
My friend and I were discussing gravity and the conversation came round to a spefic example...
If NASA planned a flight to Pluto would Newtons equations be sufficient to make the trip and landing ? I thought that at these distances/speed ( NASA would no doubt take advantage of the intervening planets ) Einsteins modifications would need to be taken into account.
Basically Newton was OK for local small scale stuff but not for say a trip to Pluto.
What say you ? :)
Cheers
Geoff
Answer Hi, thanks for writing. Although I am not sure of the figures involved, I would say that, since Einstein's adjustments are well known, that they would definately be used in planning such a flight. However, I would guess that there are enough course corrections done in flight that there would be no problem reaching the intended target, provided enough fuel was on board. Although I don't have the facts on hand, I would guess that relativity was taken into account for the Cassini flight to Saturn. Write anytime.
