ballistic trajectory

American  

noun

1. the path of an unpowered object, as a missile, moving only under the influence of gravity and possibly atmospheric friction and with its surface providing no significant lift to alter the course of flight.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ballistic trajectory

Since July 1, Ukraine has intercepted as few as four of 46 missiles fired in a ballistic trajectory by the Russians, says the Institute for the Study of War.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

China in 2013 launched an object into space on a ballistic trajectory with a peak orbit above 18,600 miles in space — near geosynchronous orbit.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 1, 2022

Another problem with ballistic trajectory is radiation exposure in the vacuum of space, Weeden added.

From The Verge ● Sep. 29, 2017

He throws a snowball in the +x-direction, and it travels on a ballistic trajectory, hitting the ground some distance away.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

But when the X-15 is on a ballistic trajectory above the atmosphere, with its engine cut off, the pilot will be weightless.

From Time Magazine Archive