Meaning of gravity assist | Babel Free
ˈɡɹævɪti əˈsɪstDefinitions
The favorable alteration of the speed and trajectory of a spacecraft as a result of its passing near to a celestial body.
Equivalents
Examples
“After going into orbit around Jupiter with a gravity assist from the volcanic moon Io, Galileo will spend 22 months studying the planet.”
“Cassini is supposed to swing by Earth in 1999 for a gravity assist that would sling it out toward Saturn.”
“MESSENGER successfully flew by Mercury yesterday, gaining a critical gravity assist that will enable it to enter orbit about Mercury in 2011.”
CEFR level
B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
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