aerobraking

/ ˈɛərəʊˌbreɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. the use of aerodynamic braking in extremely low-density atmospheres in space at hypersonic Mach numbers

Example Sentences

“Mars has just enough atmosphere that you can’t discount it, but not enough to actually give you a significant amount of aerobraking,” she said, referring to using a planet’s atmosphere to slow an incoming spacecraft.

Read more on New York Times

In a new study, scientists propose using a technique called aerobraking to slow small asteroids enough that they don’t just shoot straight past Earth, but stay in orbit, where they could be mined for platinum or water.

Read more on Science Magazine

The study involves aerobraking, or using the drag created by Earth’s atmosphere to slow down the path of an incoming object.

Read more on Science Magazine

Aerobraking isn’t new—every incoming spacecraft to Earth uses it to slow itself down before landing, and probes to other planets, such as the European Space Agency’s Venus Express and ExoMars missions, have also used the technique.

Read more on Science Magazine

In the new paper, Tan and colleagues propose using aerobraking to slow small asteroids enough that they don’t just shoot straight past Earth, but stay in orbit, where they could be mined for platinum or water.

Read more on Science Magazine