Gravitational assists are an emblematic example of why space travel is hard —it is exactly rocket science, after all. Gravity ...

Continuing to use the Earth as an example, ... To maintain this orbit, Mercury must have an orbital velocity (the speed in which it travels around the sun) of about 47.8 km per second.

For example, the Cassini spacecraft weighs about 3,000 kilograms, whereas Titan, the largest of Saturn's moons, ... thereby decreasing its velocity (and orbital energy).

Our planet has a strong gravitational pull, and the minimum orbital velocity is quite high at about 7.4 kilometers per second or so. Stage Fright Historically, we’ve cheated the rocket equation ...

For example, they’ll say that if you compare the orbital velocity of the Moon around the Earth (about 1 km/sec) to the orbital velocity of the Moon around the Sun (the same as the Earth’s ...

The main difference between orbital and suborbital flight is the speed at which a vehicle is traveling. An orbital spacecraft must achieve what is known as orbital velocity, whereas a suborbital ...

SpaceX is gearing up to launch the first near-orbital-velocity test flight of its combined Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage on Thursday (April 20). Here's what to expect.

Thursday’s Starship flight test, which saw the upper stage disappear while approaching orbital velocity, comes just months ahead of the first planned commercial missions Stay up to date with ...

These engines burned very nearly for 10 minutes before shutting down, having reached an orbital velocity of 28,800 kph. For the first time since its founding, nearly a quarter of a century ago ...