Exploring Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS: A Potential Mission

Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, discovered in July 2022, presents a unique opportunity for scientists to study planetary systems beyond our own. After making its closest approach to the Sun in late October 2022, it has been traveling out of the solar system, releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide and water vapor that may date back billions of years.

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Researchers are considering a mission to send a probe to 3I/ATLAS, which would need to launch by 2035 to reach the object by 2085. At that time, 3I/ATLAS will be over 700 times the distance from the Sun to Earth, far exceeding the distance covered by NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft in its 48 years of operation. To achieve the necessary speed, the probe would utilize the Oberth effect, performing close flybys of the Sun to gain energy from its gravitational field. Marshall Eubanks, a former NASA staffer, emphasized the potential for a significant velocity increase through a major burn during the solar flyby, aiming for a delta-V of over five miles per second.

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The mission would require the probe to withstand extreme temperatures during its solar approach and to execute multiple flybys of Venus to further accelerate. The proposed vehicle for this mission is a "refueled Starship Block 3" from SpaceX, which is believed to have the performance capabilities necessary for such an ambitious endeavor. However, the long duration of the mission raises questions about its practicality and scientific value, as the probe would only be able to perform a flyby approximately 50 years after launch.

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Eubanks noted that as more interstellar objects are discovered, the urgency to pursue 3I/ATLAS may diminish. He suggested that future missions could be more effectively executed using spacecraft already in orbit, which would allow for quicker intercepts of interstellar objects without the need for complex maneuvers like the Oberth effect. The European Space Agency is preparing to launch its Comet Interceptor mission by late 2028, which aims to study future interstellar visitors by positioning the spacecraft in a waiting orbit.

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Eubanks expressed optimism about the future of interstellar exploration, stating, “I feel quite confident that when we develop the ability to reach these interstellar objects, there will be a strong desire to directly explore at least some of them.” Coauthor Adam Hibberd highlighted the advantages of using existing probes for future missions, suggesting that this approach could significantly reduce the time needed to study interstellar objects.

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While the proposed mission to 3I/ATLAS has garnered interest, there are differing opinions on its feasibility and scientific merit. Some experts argue that the long timeline and technological challenges may outweigh the benefits of pursuing this particular object, especially as more interstellar objects are anticipated in the future.

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• “We’ll just have to see,” — Marshall Eubanks, Former NASA Staffer

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• “There are better mission architectures, using a probe already in orbit in space, which would intercept an interstellar object around perihelion in much less time, rendering an Oberth unnecessary,” — Adam Hibberd, Coauthor of the Latest Paper

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As the field of interstellar exploration evolves, the study of 3I/ATLAS may serve as a pivotal moment in understanding our cosmic neighborhood.

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