Gravity Assist:
A Simulation

How it works

1. Click to place the spaceship, use the arrow keys to change the trajectory angle and hit the space bar to launch it.

2. The simulation shows a moving celestial body (Moon) and a spacecraft. As the spacecraft nears the Moon, a simulated gravitational force pulls on it, altering its trajectory.

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About

A gravity assist is the use of the relative movement and gravity of a planet or other celestial body to alter the path and speed of a spacecraft. This technique allows spacecraft to gain velocity without expending additional fuel, making deep-space exploration more efficient.

This simulation enables you to explore how varying the initial speed of a spacecraft affects its interaction with the Moon’s gravity.