Overview

• Southwest Research Institute says a predesigned mission could have executed a high-speed flyby of 3I/ATLAS using a Mars assist, though orbital capture is beyond current capabilities.
• SwRI’s Matthew Freeman reports the comet’s path falls within the interceptable region for the concept, which envisions a head-on encounter to gather extensive compositional and structural data.
• Because the comet will be geometrically hidden from Earth near its late‑October perihelion, researchers are prioritizing in‑space assets for observations.
• A study highlights NASA’s Psyche, ESA’s JUICE, and Mars orbiters MRO, Tianwen‑1, and Hope as well‑placed observers, with JUICE favored around perihelion; SOHO, PUNCH, and Parker Solar Probe will also have viewing opportunities.
• 3I/ATLAS—discovered by ATLAS in July as the third confirmed interstellar visitor—shows an active coma and is expected to outgas more near the Sun, and while Avi Loeb has speculated about artificial origin, most scientists deem it a natural object.