Exploring the Challenges of Sending Objects to the Sun

A recent article by researcher Michael J. I. Brown explores the intriguing idea of sending an object into the sun. While the concept might initially seem straightforward, the scientific and technological challenges reveal a more complex reality. The piece, published on November 17, 2025, in The Conversation, delves into the necessary conditions and speeds required to achieve such a feat.

To successfully send an object into the sun, the initial thought might be to launch a rocket directly towards it. However, this method is fraught with complications. A rocket would need to reach a speed exceeding 11 kilometers per second to escape Earth’s gravitational pull. Even if launched at a speed of 20 kilometers per second, calculations show that the rocket would still miss the sun by nearly 100 million kilometers. This occurs because of Earth’s own motion around the sun, traveling at approximately 30 kilometers per second. When the rocket is launched, it continues moving faster in its orbit around the sun rather than heading directly towards it.

Achieving a direct impact with the sun would require a rocket to reach extraordinary speeds, specifically around 7,000 kilometers per second. Unfortunately, current technology is far from capable of producing such velocities. This raises the question: is there an alternative approach?

Counteracting Earth’s Motion

A more feasible strategy involves launching a rocket in the opposite direction of Earth’s orbit. By sending a spacecraft from low Earth orbit at a speed of 32 kilometers per second towards the sun, the rocket would effectively counteract Earth’s velocity. This method allows the rocket to reach a near-zero velocity relative to the sun, making it susceptible to the star’s gravitational pull. The journey would be extensive, spanning about 150 million kilometers and taking approximately ten weeks for the object to reach its fiery destination.

Nevertheless, even this approach faces significant limitations. The fastest spacecraft to date, New Horizons, which launched in 2006, attained a speed of only 16.26 kilometers per second. This speed is insufficient to counteract Earth’s motion and achieve a trajectory towards the sun. In fact, New Horizons utilized Earth’s orbital speed to propel itself beyond the solar system, highlighting the challenges of targeting a solar impact.

Utilizing Planetary Flybys

While sending an object directly into the sun remains impractical, the concept is not entirely out of reach. Spacecraft can exploit planetary flybys to gain speed and adjust their trajectories. For instance, the Parker Solar Probe has successfully utilized gravitational assists from Venus to increase its orbit closer to the sun.

A potential solution lies in launching a spacecraft into an orbit that intersects with the paths of various planets. By using gravitational forces from these celestial bodies, the spacecraft’s trajectory can be altered, gradually moving it closer to the sun with each flyby. Although this journey would take years and span millions of kilometers, it could ultimately lead to the intended outcome.

In summary, while the idea of sending an object into the sun captures the imagination, it underscores the complexities of space travel. Current technology cannot yet achieve the necessary speeds for direct solar impact. Yet, through innovative methods such as planetary flybys, the dream of reaching the sun may be achievable, albeit over an extended time frame. As Michael J. I. Brown notes, the journey itself may prove to be just as intriguing as the destination.