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A comment on Voyager 1 hears the hush of interstellar plasma. Parent comment

Re:Voyager 1 hears the hush of interstellar plasma by foobarian on Tuesday May 11, 2021 @11:21AM (#27119157)
I'm puzzled by the requirement for an alignment. It seems one could gravity assist in arbitrary directions though it might take longer. But should still end up with a similar energy gain.
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Re:Voyager 1 hears the hush of interstellar plasma by Jeff_Brown on Tuesday May 11, 2021 @11:50PM (#27126382)
The gravity assist works by transferring some of the planet's momentum to the craft, and that momentum has a direction, not just an amount.
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