UmbralRaptor t1_isygmj3 wrote
Not really. Like, micrometeors and other debris exist, but the craft is presumably built to deal with that. The modal probe to the outer planets just goes through the asteroid belt without much care, or may have a trajectory chosen specifically so it goes near an asteroid to observe it.
Something that comes to mind is how much Δv the craft has (and what that implies for what sort of trajectory is chosen and travel time). There are thermal and power concerns, though again this is normally dealt with in the design phase.
[deleted] OP t1_isyhncp wrote
Wouldn't there be damage to a solar panel? Or something like that.
JUYED-AWK-YACC t1_isynxht wrote
As a NASA mission designer, there would never be solar panels on a Neptune mission.
[deleted] OP t1_isyok9m wrote
I'm writing a short story, what would be some plausible obstacles en route to an earth-like planet?
[deleted] OP t1_isyq93v wrote
[deleted]
[deleted] OP t1_isyrbx6 wrote
I know that, I'm just talking about another short story I want to write.
JUYED-AWK-YACC t1_isytgv1 wrote
Look at The Martian. Most of the problems are things breaking unexpectedly. But FYI, the flight operations team is usually cut back somewhat in deep space because nothing is expected to happen.
UmbralRaptor t1_isyigz5 wrote
There can be (IIRC, there are a few holes in some of the ISS' panels), though that's more of "make sure you have a sufficiently tough structure that it can take the hits and still provide spare power".
Also, er, I was assuming that you'd use a nuclear reactor or something given how far from the sun Neptune is.
[deleted] OP t1_isyjgin wrote
I'm writing a short story, I came up with a conceit.
[deleted] OP t1_isyjsnj wrote
What other debris can harm the spacecraft?
UmbralRaptor t1_isymc4o wrote
I mean, I'd avoid flying it through Saturn's ring plane, the ring arcs around Neptune, or especially close to a comet, but space is in general pretty empty.
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