GRAVITYASSIST

Gravity assist

In orbital mechanics and aerospace engineering, a gravitational slingshot, gravity assist maneuver, or swing-by is the use of the relative movement and gravity of a planet or other astronomical object to alter the path and speed of a spacecraft, typically in order to save propellant, time, and expense. Gravity assistance can be used to accelerate and/or re-direct the path of a spacecraft.

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gravity assist

Noun

  1. The favorable alteration of the speed and trajectory of a spacecraft as a result of its passing near to a celestial body.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: gravity assist
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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