// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Gravity Assist
A gravity assist is a technique where a spacecraft uses the gravitational pull and orbital motion of a planet to change its speed and direction, saving fuel and time.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A gravity assist (or planetary swing-by) is an orbital maneuver where a spacecraft exploits the gravitational field and relative motion of a celestial body to alter its velocity vector (speed and/or direction) relative to the Sun, conserving propellant and enabling deep-space missions.
BACKGROUND
Private spaceflight companies include non-governmental or privately owned entities focused on developing and/or offering equipment and services geared towards spaceflight, both robotic and human. This list includes both inactive and active entities.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Gravitational slingshot
- swing-by
- planetary assist
- flyby maneuver
USAGE NOTE
Gravity assists are routinely used to accelerate or decelerate spacecraft for interplanetary travel.