Hiya folks,
The fastest speed ever attained by a spacecraft was 252,792 km/h (157,078 mph) by the Helios 2 probe in the 70’s. What I’d like to know is this, using rocket technology that exists (at least as plans for proved technology if not as parts on a shelf) and the gravitational assist effect from diving into gravity wells of multiple planets to build up speed as much as possible, what is a general estimate for how fast we could get something to leave the solar system right now? I know that the actual calculations of something like this would require some serious, probably heavy duty computer calculations to figure out a highly accurate figure here. I’m just interested in a general estimate. This is just to satisfy my curiosity, I offer you my thanks in advance should you do so.
with gratitude,
AllFree