Perturbation (Gravity maneuver) – The word “perturbation” comes from the Latin perturbatio – disorder, abrupt change. This is a type of gravitational maneuver.
Due to perturbation, a spacecraft can increase or decrease its speed when passing near a massive cosmic body – a planet or its natural satellite.
If a spacecraft catches up with a large-mass space body orbiting the Earth, it increases the speed of its movement. The attraction of the cosmic body contributes to this. It seems to “pull” the spacecraft towards itself, while it retains speed after braking in the gravitational field of the body after overtaking. In this regard, the speed of the spacecraft increases.
In the case when a spacecraft crosses an orbit around a large space body, it accelerates under the influence of gravity for a shorter time than it slows down after passing through its gravitational field. Therefore, the speed of the spacecraft is decreasing.
Perturbation (Gravity maneuver)
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