A Proposed New Mission Could Finally Rendezvous With Halley’s Comet

• Researchers have outlined a new mission concept to achieve the first-ever rendezvous with Halley’s Comet in 2060.
• Unlike the 1986 "Halley Armada" which relied on short-term flybys, this plan utilizes existing technology to conduct long-term scientific observation.

Mission Architecture

• The proposed spacecraft would use a double gravity-assist maneuver, leveraging the gravity wells of both Jupiter and Saturn.
• This trajectory adjustment allows the craft to match the comet's high orbital inclination of 162° without excessive fuel consumption.
• The vehicle would be powered by a flight-proven Radioisotope Thermal Generator (RTG) and low-power Hall-effect thrusters.
• The mission design accounts for 750 kg of scientific payload and would arrive roughly one year before the comet's 2061 perihelion.

Timeline and Feasibility

• Optimal launch windows are identified for August 2036 and September 2037.
• The long transit time—over two decades—requires project initiation within the next 10 years to meet these launch dates.
• If successful, the mission would allow scientists to observe the comet's transformation over several months rather than hours.