Astrodynamics Vocabulary

verb Aerobraked is the past tense of the verb aerobrake, which means to use the resistance of a planet's atmosphere to slow down a spacecraft.

• The spacecraft successfully aerobraked in order to slow down and enter orbit around the planet.
• The spaceship used aerobraking to help it slow down and get into orbit around the planet.
• The shuttle did some fancy aerobraking to make a smooth landing on the moon.
• She aerobraked through the crowded room, gracefully maneuvering around obstacles.

noun A maneuver in which a spacecraft uses the resistance of a planet's atmosphere to slow down or adjust its trajectory

• Aerobraking is a spaceflight maneuver that uses a planet's atmosphere to slow down a spacecraft.
• They used aerobraking to slow down the spacecraft as it entered Mars' atmosphere.
• Aerobraking is like hitting the brakes with the atmosphere.
• In life, sometimes we need to aerobrake by slowing down and using our surroundings to help us navigate challenges.

noun a maneuver in which a spacecraft uses a planet's atmosphere to slow down and enter orbit

• Aerocapture is a spaceflight maneuver that uses a planet's atmosphere to slow down and capture a spacecraft into orbit.
• Aerocapture is like using the atmosphere of a planet as a brake for a spaceship.
• Aerocapture is when a spaceship uses a planet's air to do a cool maneuver and get into orbit.
• Aerocapture is like surfing the atmosphere of a planet to safely enter orbit.