[raynor]

If a spacecraft the size of the shuttlecraft exited a hypothetical wormhole and found itself 100 KM from the outer corona of a star the size of our sun, what velocity would that spacecraft have to achieve in order to maintain a stable orbit around the star?

A multi-part question

1. A spacecraft the size of the shuttle approaches our sun on a course aimed directly for the 'center' of the star.
2. Take the main engines used to achieve escape velocity out of the equation.
3. Assume the spacecraft doesn't use any fuel until it reaches closest approach.
4. Assume that heat/radiation aren't a factor--robotic pilot if you want.

How close do you think the spacecraft can get to our sun before it must alter its course to try to enter an orbit around the star?

[This message has been edited by raynor (edited 30 March 2001).]