I suspect “slingshot” here refers to Oberth effect. Passing close to event horizon of a galactic black hole would greatly increase the delta-V efficiency of the remaining reaction mass.
In principle this would apply to the main reaction mass too, but perhaps it can’t all be effectively used within the short timescale of a close pass with the black hole.
I suspect “slingshot” here refers to Oberth effect. Passing close to event horizon of a galactic black hole would greatly increase the delta-V efficiency of the remaining reaction mass.
In principle this would apply to the main reaction mass too, but perhaps it can’t all be effectively used within the short timescale of a close pass with the black hole.
I suspect another issue is that it’s too dangerous to fly at 0.99c as you are entering a galaxy. There’s too much gas and dust.
Yepp, that’s what I was thinking. And I just edited it to clarify, since “slingshot” seems like the wrong word.
Ahh, that makes more sense.