the use of the slingshot effect in the Voyager space shuttle program (1 Viewer)

[rooneyhuo]

anyone knows the use of the slingshot effect in the Voyager space shuttle program?

 

[tashisthebest]

the slingshot effects is used to give the space shuttle extra momentum that allows it to travel further and faster with minimal uses of its on board fuel.

 

[Kwayera]

In more detail, depending on which way you go around a planet, the slingshot effect either makes you go faster (steals momentum from the planet) or slower (gives a little momentum).

 

[xXmuffin0manXx]

In more detail, depending on which way you go around a planet, the slingshot effect either makes you go faster (steals momentum from the planet) or slower (gives a little momentum).

could you elaborate on how you would lose momentum?

thank youu

 

[Pwnage101]

could you elaborate on how you would lose momentum?

thank youu

From my (limited HSC) knowledge, passing in front of a planet's path causes the space probe to slow down, while passing behind the planet's path causes it to speed up.

Hopefully Kwayera will be able to correct this/elaborate.

 

[cutemouse]

The slingshot effect can be analogous to bouncing a ball against a wall that's moving from the ball, or towards the ball.

That's how my Physics teacher explained it anyway. But IIRC the dotpoint says "Identify that the slingshot effect..." meaning that you don't need to go into that much detail. It'd more likely be asked in a multiple choice question or something...

 

[Spark_Coaching]

The ‘sling-shot effect’ allows satellites to change speed and direction and gain some angular momentum and kinetic energy of the planet.

Gravity allows the ‘coupling’ between the probe and planet via an “elastic collision” to facilitate the transfer.

So essentially, The Law of Conservation of Energy & Momentum allow the spacecraft to gain some momentum and kinetic energy (speed) from the planet and the planet loses the same amount.

So say the spacecraft has initial velocity 'v' and the planet has initial velocity 'V'. The spacecrafts final velocity would equal 'v + 2V'.

 

[khorne]

Actually, the maximum possible velocity would be v+ 2V, but really, it would be much less.