Slingshot to the Outer Planets
Students examine spacecraft launches and their "slingshot" effectCopyright NASA. Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Launch_of_Juno.jpg
Students are introduced to the engineering challenges involved with interplanetary space travel. In particular, they learn about the gravity assist or "slingshot" maneuver often used by engineers to send spacecraft to the outer planets. Using magnets and ball bearings to simulate a planetary flyby, students investigate what factors influence the deflection angle of a gravity assist maneuver.
Since the discoveries of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, humans have become increasingly intrigued with these planets located so far from Earth. Until recently, scientists and engineers relied on telescopes to observe and understand the outer planets. Today, engineers use large rockets to send satellites deep into space to probe the unknown. However, since rocket fuel is costly and heavy, engineers invent creative ways, such as the gravity assist or "slingshot" maneuver, to propel their spacecraft to greater distances.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe why spacecraft need so much energy to travel to and explore the outer planets.
- Explain what the gravity assist or "slingshot" effect is and how engineers use this technique to launch spacecraft greater distances.