During the return journey, the Astronef nearly falls into the Sun because its keel is dragged out of the straight line that would allow it to cut the Earth's orbit, despite the engines exerting their full power<sup class='text_citation' source_id='1' start_phrase='It meant that the keel of the Astronef was being dragged out of the straight line which would cut the earth's orbit some forty million miles away' end_phrase='begun to fall into the sun'></sup>.

This occurs as they attempt to steer a course between the orbits of Mercury and Venus, where the Sun's immense gravitational pull poses a significant danger<sup class='text_citation' source_id='1' start_phrase='The only thing I'm afraid of is the pull of the sun' end_phrase='all the planets put together'></sup>.

What causes the Astronef to nearly be pulled into the Sun during the return journey?

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