swingby
Quick drop-in call
A swingby is a spaceflight maneuver in which a spacecraft uses the gravitational pull of a planet or moon to alter its speed and trajectory without expending fuel.
Also called a gravity assist or gravitational slingshot, this technique allows probes to reach distant destinations that would otherwise require prohibitive amounts of propellant.
The Voyager missions used multiple swingbys to tour the outer planets.
Spacecraft trajectory boost via planet
- slingshotForked projectile launcher
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- flybyClose pass without landing
- orbital mechanicsScience of celestial motion
delta-v · closest approach · Hohmann transfer · escape velocity · acceleration · propulsion · navigation · course correction
NASA interstellar mission name
- CassiniSaturn mission namesake
- New HorizonsUndiscovered opportunities ahead
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- JunoJupiter's divine consort
Pioneer · Rosetta · Messenger · spacecraft · spaceprobe · trajectory · interplanetary · deep space
Largest solar system planet
- SaturnRinged gas giant
- NeptuneEighth planet or sea deity
- UranusSideways-spinning outer world
- VenusLove goddess, or planet
Mars · Mercury · Earth · moon · solar system · planet · asteroid · comet
Brief halt mid-journey
- drop-inUnscheduled brief visit
- visitTrip to see another
- passing throughMoving across without staying
- pop inBrief unannounced visit
quick stop · brief visit · detour · layover · pit stop · whistle-stop
gravity assist
Spacecraft trajectory boost via planet
- slingshotForked projectile launcher
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- flybyClose pass without landing
orbital mechanics · delta-v · closest approach · Hohmann transfer · escape velocity · acceleration · propulsion · navigation · course correction · gravitational field
Voyager
NASA interstellar mission name
- CassiniSaturn mission namesake
- New HorizonsUndiscovered opportunities ahead
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
Juno · Pioneer · Rosetta · Messenger · spacecraft · spaceprobe · trajectory · interplanetary · deep space · planetary exploration
Jupiter
Largest solar system planet
Venus · Mars · Mercury · Earth · moon · solar system · planet · asteroid · comet · Titan
stopover
Brief halt mid-journey
- drop-inUnscheduled brief visit
- visitTrip to see another
- passing throughMoving across without staying
quick stop · brief visit · pop in · detour · layover · pit stop · whistle-stop
swingbyappointment
Scheduled time for something
official visit · consultation · reservation · engagement · audience
swingbyresidency
State of dwelling somewhere
sojourn · overnight stay · weekend visit · settling in · taking up residence
- swing setOutdoor play structure
- swing bandLarge jazz orchestra for dancing
- swing byVisit briefly, informally
- full swingMaximum activity level
- mood swingAbrupt change in feeling
- in full swingAt peak activity
swing, swinging, upswing, downswing, swinger, backswing, swingboat, swingable, overswing