Concepts
Aerobraking
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Aerobraking is a spaceflight maneuver that reduces the high point (apoapsis) of an elliptical orbit by repeatedly flying a spacecraft through the upper atmosphere of a planet at the low point (periapsis) of its orbit, using atmospheric drag to slow the vehicle instead of expending propellant. It has been used to circularize the orbits of several planetary missions, trading a longer approach phase for a large reduction in the fuel mass a spacecraft must carry.
Facts
Concept Domain Formulated YearAerobraking was first used operationally during the extended Venusian mission of the Magellan spacecraft in May 1993, and was later used by Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Cross-Tradition Connections
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