TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

swingby [1 record]

Record 1 2009-05-07

English

Subject field(s)
  • Astrophysics and Cosmography
  • Launching and Space Maneuvering
DEF

A particular manoeuvre that exploits the gravitational force of a moon or a planet to modify the trajectory of a spacecraft and to boost it into space.

CONT

Planetary swing-by maneuver [can be defined as] the encounter between a moving spacecraft and a moving planet or moon, affecting the spacecraft's motion like an elastic collision (in which no energy is lost to heat). Depending on the details of the encounter, the spacecraft can gain or lose appreciable amounts of energy, and appreciable changes in the direction of its motion can result. Swing-by maneuvers with the Moon have been used to reach the L1 Lagrangian point; fly-by maneuvers with he planets have played an essential role in space missions exploring the solar system. Lunar fly-by is similar and is also used.

OBS

Plural is "swing-bys", "swingbys" or "swing bys".

Key term(s)
  • planetary swing by maneuver
  • planetary swingby maneuver
  • planetary swing-by manoeuvre
  • planetary swingby manoeuvre
  • planetary swing by manoeuvre
  • planetary swingby
  • planetary swing by
  • swing by maneuver
  • swingby maneuver

French

Domaine(s)
  • Astrophysique et cosmographie
  • Lancement et manœuvres dans l'espace
DEF

Effet du champ gravitationnel d'un corps céleste sur le vecteur vitesse d'un engin spatial ou d'un autre corps céleste passant à proximité.

Key term(s)
  • swingby
  • swing-by
  • swing by

Spanish

Record saved

Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank

© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2024
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau

Features

Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.

Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.

Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.

Date Modified: