A new mission could rendezvous with Halley's Comet in 2061

A new mission plan proposes a spacecraft could rendezvous with Halley's Comet in 2061, using two planetary gravitational assists to achieve a precise trajectory. The mission would launch with 2,000 kg of instrumentation and propellant, employing a Hall-effect thruster powered by a radioisotope thermal generator. The spacecraft would first perform a flyby at Jupiter to gain speed, then use a gravity assist at Saturn to adjust its orbital plane to match Halley's high inclination. The mission would reach the comet in 2060, around a year before its next perihelion, and allow for close-up observations of its transformation as it approaches the sun. The spacecraft would have 750 kg of payload for science operations, enabling extended observations. The launch window is limited to August 2036 and September 2037, requiring over 20 years to reach the rendezvous point, but offers a 10-year window to prepare the project. The mission represents a significant step toward understanding Halley's Comet, offering a feasible path for future exploration.

• The mission is proposed by researchers at Khalifa University and their co-authors.
• The spacecraft would use two planetary gravitational assists, avoiding the need for high-power propulsion systems.
• The mission would allow for extended observations of Halley's Comet, with a payload of 750 kg for science operations.
• The launch window is limited to specific dates, requiring over 20 years to reach the rendezvous point.
• The mission is considered a breakthrough in planetary science, offering a practical approach to studying Halley's Comet.

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