When a spacecraft approaches a planet or moon, the planet's gravity pulls on the spacecraft, causing it to accelerate. The spacecraft then swings around the planet or moon and is deflected in a new direction. The amount of deflection depends on the mass of the planet or moon and the speed of the spacecraft.
Gravity assist can be used to:
* Accelerate a spacecraft to a higher speed.
* Change the direction of a spacecraft's travel.
* Insert a spacecraft into orbit around a planet or moon.
* Eject a spacecraft from a planet's or moon's orbit.
Gravity assist has been used by many spacecraft, including the Voyager, Galileo, Cassini, and New Horizons missions. The Juno mission, which is currently orbiting Jupiter, used gravity assist from Earth and Venus to get to Jupiter.
Gravity assist is a powerful technique that can be used to achieve a variety of space travel goals. It is an essential tool for missions that require high speeds, precise navigation, or efficient use of fuel.
