Kurzgesagt has a video that explains why it isn't a good idea. https://www.youtu...

o11c · 2024-03-08T05:48:46 1709876926

That's once again repeating the same misunderstanding as far as orbital mechanics.

Yes, a collision-only slingshot needs precision. But we're good at precision maneuvers with modern computers.

(it is correct that getting past Earth's orbit in the first place requires a bit of delta-v though, which I suppose I glossed over.)

JumpCrisscross · 2024-03-08T17:57:23 1709920643

> collision-only slingshot needs precision. But we're good at precision maneuvers with modern computers

That precision doesn’t get around the physics. Why do you think none of our missions to the inner Solar System have tried this?

lxgr · 2024-03-08T20:02:33 1709928153

You don't need to just "get past Earth's orbit", you need to deorbit out of Earth's orbit around the sun if you want to reach the sun. This requires a much higher (at least double) delta-v than leaving Earth's gravity well alone.