Current missions use rocket to slow themselves as they approach planets New, slower mission would be gradually 'grabbed' by martian gravity Wouldadd several months to mission - but make it cheaper Theory used in 1990 to put stricken Japanese probe into moon's orbit <\/p>\n
By Mark Prigg for MailOnline <\/p>\n
Published: 19:56 EST, 23 December 2014 | Updated: 20:11 EST, 23 December 2014 <\/p>\n
56 shares <\/p>\n
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Traditional missions to Mars involve large rockets for both blasting off and slowing down. <\/p>\n
However, researchers believe there may be a simpler, cheaper way. <\/p>\n
Rather than blasting to the red planet and using rockets to slow themselves down, future craft could simply use planetary gravity fields to 'drift' into the Martian atmosphere. <\/p>\n
Called ballistic capture, the new method could help open the Martian frontier for more robotic missions, future manned expeditions and even colonization efforts, researchers say - and even Nasa is interested. <\/p>\n
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Original post: Current missions use rocket to slow themselves as they approach planets New, slower mission would be gradually 'grabbed' by martian gravity Wouldadd several months to mission - but make it cheaper Theory used in 1990 to put stricken Japanese probe into moon's orbit By Mark Prigg for MailOnline Published: 19:56 EST, 23 December 2014 | Updated: 20:11 EST, 23 December 2014 56 shares 57 View comments Traditional missions to Mars involve large rockets for both blasting off and slowing down. Continue reading
\nHave mathematicians found a cheap and easy way to get to Mars? New theory plots route to use the red planet's gravity ...<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"