Aerobraking is an advanced interplanetary space navigation technique, whereby the velocity vector of a space vehicle is modified by interaction with a target body's atmosphere. The primary effect is dissipation of the vehicle's velocity via drag; however, it is also possible to add a lift component to the vehicle's interaction with the atmosphere in order to effect orbital plane changes or cross-range maneuvers. Velocity (symbol: v) is a vector measurement of the rate and direction of motion. ... For a solid object moving through a fluid or gas, drag is the sum of all the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic forces in the direction of the external fluid flow. ... Lift consists of the sum (technically the negative product) of all the aerodynamic forces normal (i. ... The orbital plane is an astronomical concept. ...

All interplanetary vehicles must change their velocity in some way upon arriving at the destination planet, and the required velocity changes are usually on the order of several kilometers per second. The primary appeal of aerobraking is that the vehicle can save rocket fuel by using aerobraking to perform much of the necessary velocity change. One main caveat applies: the aerobraking process takes very long (6+ months at Mars). A Redstone rocket, part of the Mercury program A rocket is a vehicle, missile or aircraft which obtains thrust by the reaction to the ejection of fast moving exhaust gas from within a rocket engine. ...

Although the theory of aerobraking is very well developed, it is still a difficult maneuver to carry out. It is necessary to have detailed knowledge of the character of the target planet's atmosphere in order to plan the maneuver correctly, and even then success is not guaranteed. However, the Mars Odyssey spacecraft and the Mars Global Surveyor have successfully performed sophisticated aerobraking maneuvers. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is scheduled to attempt the maneuver in March - November 2006. Artists concept of the 2001 Mars Odyssey Spacecraft 2001 Mars Odyssey is an unmanned spacecraft orbiting the planet Mars. ... Computer generated image of Global Surveyor spacecraft (NASA) The launch of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft in November 1996 by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory began Americas return to Mars after a 20-year absence. ... Conceptual drawing NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (acronym: MRO) is a multipurpose spacecraft scheduled to launch August 10, 2005 to advance human understanding of Mars through detailed observation, to examine potential landing sites for future surface missions and to provide a high-data-rate communications relay for those missions. ...

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