Solar Oberth Route Could Intercept Interstellar Visitor 3I/ATLAS by 2035
Researchers from the Initiative for Interstellar Studies propose an indirect mission to intercept interstellar object 3I/ATLAS using a Solar Oberth maneuver and their Optimised Interplanetary Trajectory Software (OITS); a 2035 launch could align Earth, Jupiter, and the Sun to enable a high‑speed flyby, since a direct Earth‑launched rendezvous is unlikely due to late detection and the object’s high velocity. Leveraging gravity assists and a Sun-centric burn with current tech, the mission would take about 50 years, offering revolutionary insights into another star system; directed-energy propulsion remains a long‑term possibility.