Gravity-assist (Noun)
Meaning
(spaceflight) a trajectory that passes close to a planetary body in order to gain energy from its gravitational field.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The spacecraft's gravity-assist around Jupiter gave it the boost it needed to reach the outer planets.
- By using a gravity-assist maneuver around Venus, the mission team was able to shorten the spacecraft's journey to Mars.
- The Voyager 1 spacecraft used a gravity-assist from Jupiter to change its trajectory and head towards the outer reaches of the solar system.
- The Cassini mission relied on a series of gravity-assists from Venus, Earth, and Jupiter to reach Saturn's orbit.
- The New Horizons spacecraft performed a gravity-assist around Jupiter, gaining enough speed to reach Pluto in just over nine years.