comets vs space probes?

Question

Which move faster?
comets or human built space probes?
I would guess comets.
Why don't we send out a probe. Land it on a comet. Have it take readings. Fly way out of our solar system.
Then when it comes back, we can get all of the data.

Are you sure it would take the same enegey to land on the comet as it would to orbit way out of the solar system and come back?

Also I would think it would be faster on a comet?

Answer 1

I believe it would be do-able because the amount of outgassing really involves very little matter. But a reason we wouldn't do it is because in order to get our probe where it could pull alongside a comet or land, we would be putting it in the same orbit. In other words, we would not need the comet at all. It gives us no advantage. To ride a comet would require as much energy as making the same trip without one.

And we have built space probes that achieve solar escape velocity by using the slingshot effect of other planets.

Answer 2

We did send a space probe out to collect cometary dust. I forget the name of the mission but I believe it was successful. Landing on a comet is probably not doable. It's surface is constantly out gassing water vapor and dust, and isn't stable.