Slingshot

In space and astronautical engineering, a slingshot maneuver (also known as gravity assist maneuver) is a technique that uses the gravity of a planet or other celestial body to change the speed and trajectory of a spacecraft. The spacecraft approaches the planet in a way that it is pulled by the planet's gravity and gains speed, which can be used to increase the spacecraft's velocity or change its direction. This technique is commonly used to save fuel and time in interplanetary missions, as it allows the spacecraft to reach its destination faster and with less fuel consumption. The slingshot maneuver was first used in 1974 during the Mariner 10 mission to Mercury, and has since been used in numerous missions, including the Voyager missions to the outer planets and the New Horizons mission to Pluto.
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