gravity assist

== English == === Alternative forms === gravitational assist, gravity-assist === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈɡɹævɪti əˈsɪst/ Hyphenation: grav‧i‧ty as‧sist === Noun === gravity assist (plural gravity assists) (astrophysics) The favorable alteration of the speed and trajectory of a spacecraft as a result of its passing near to a celestial body. 2009 Oct. 2, "MESSENGER Gains Critical Gravity Assist For Mercury Orbital Observations," spacedaily.com (retrieved 4 Sep. 2011): MESSENGER successfully flew by Mercury yesterday, gaining a critical gravity assist that will enable it to enter orbit about Mercury in 2011. ==== Synonyms ==== gravitational slingshot, gravity slingshot ==== Derived terms ==== JGA ==== Translations ==== === References === “gravity assist”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.