Editing Theories on the "Orbital Swimming"

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So where is the slingshot? The key is to remember that the planets are not standing still, they are moving in their orbits around the Sun. Thus while the speed of the spacecraft has remained the same as measured with reference to Jupiter, the initial and final speeds may be quite different as measured in the Sun's frame of reference. Depending on the direction of the outbound leg of the trajectory, the spacecraft can gain a significant fraction of the orbital speed of the planet. In the case of Jupiter, this is over 13 km/s. A slingshot may be simulated by rolling a steel ball past a magnet in one hand that is then moved away. Because both masses must not cross paths, the acceleration is oblique to the field and thus is similar to a sail vehicle tacking to work against the force.
 
So where is the slingshot? The key is to remember that the planets are not standing still, they are moving in their orbits around the Sun. Thus while the speed of the spacecraft has remained the same as measured with reference to Jupiter, the initial and final speeds may be quite different as measured in the Sun's frame of reference. Depending on the direction of the outbound leg of the trajectory, the spacecraft can gain a significant fraction of the orbital speed of the planet. In the case of Jupiter, this is over 13 km/s. A slingshot may be simulated by rolling a steel ball past a magnet in one hand that is then moved away. Because both masses must not cross paths, the acceleration is oblique to the field and thus is similar to a sail vehicle tacking to work against the force.
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To learn more on this subject [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_slingshot click here].
 
To learn more on this subject [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_slingshot click here].
  

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