Slingshot Maneuver

This lecture covers the slingshot maneuver, also known as gravity assist, used in space mission design. The instructor explains the concept using examples like the New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Cassini-Huygens mission with multiple flybys. The lecture delves into the definitions of heliocentric orbits, spacecraft velocities, and planetocentric velocities involved in the maneuver. It also discusses the parameters and profiles of the slingshot maneuver, emphasizing the arrival and departure asymptotes. The presentation concludes with a view of the Solar System from above, showcasing the positions of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.