Try this Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_slingshot Jim Jeff Umbarger wrote: >Hey All, > I know that this is somewhat off thread but can >someone explain how a planet can "slingshot" a >satellite that has come near it at a *higher* velocity >than before the satellite reached the planet? Here is >where I struggle with this idea: if satellite is >approaching a planet, then that planets gravity should >begin to accelerate that satellite towards it. But as >the satellite *departs* the planet after making >closest approach that same gravity should decelerate >the satellite by just as much - with no net positive >gain, right??? > > Regards, > Jeff Umbarger > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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