Recently we discussed a maneuver called the gravity assist. NASA uses this technique frequently, most notably with the Voyager probe during flybys of Jupiter and Saturn. In simplest terms, a gravity assist changes a spacecraft’s velocity by going through a planets gravitational field. To accelerate, the spacecraft flies with the movement of the planet picking up some of its orbital energy. Gravity assists are used to save time and money.
Despite being a real maneuver that is used by NASA, many people might think that the technique is a concept straight out of a science fiction movie. In fact, the maneuver’s inclusion in recent movies (Interstellar and The Martian) made it seem fictionalized. Specifically, in The Martian, Donald Glover’s character had to describe what a gravity assist was to the director of NASA. This discussion makes the technique seem complicated; however, in reality, everyone in NASA should be aware of the gravity assist.
It is cool to think about the advances that NASA has made. Things that sound fictional are actually being used to help us explore our solar system.
