<P> In orbital mechanics and aerospace engineering , a gravitational slingshot , gravity assist maneuver , or swing - by is the use of the relative movement ( e.g. orbit around the Sun ) and gravity of a planet or other astronomical object to alter the path and speed of a spacecraft , typically to save propellant and reduce expense . Gravity assistance can be used to accelerate a spacecraft , that is , to increase or decrease its speed or redirect its path . The `` assist '' is provided by the motion of the gravitating body as it pulls on the spacecraft . The gravity assist maneuver was first used in 1959 when the Soviet probe Luna 3 photographed the far side of Earth 's Moon and it was used by interplanetary probes from Mariner 10 onwards , including the two Voyager probes ' notable flybys of Jupiter and Saturn . </P>
<P> In orbital mechanics and aerospace engineering , a gravitational slingshot , gravity assist maneuver , or swing - by is the use of the relative movement ( e.g. orbit around the Sun ) and gravity of a planet or other astronomical object to alter the path and speed of a spacecraft , typically to save propellant and reduce expense . Gravity assistance can be used to accelerate a spacecraft , that is , to increase or decrease its speed or redirect its path . The `` assist '' is provided by the motion of the gravitating body as it pulls on the spacecraft . The gravity assist maneuver was first used in 1959 when the Soviet probe Luna 3 photographed the far side of Earth 's Moon and it was used by interplanetary probes from Mariner 10 onwards , including the two Voyager probes ' notable flybys of Jupiter and Saturn . </P>
what spacecraft used the gravitational pull of the planet jupiter
what spacecraft used the gravitational pull of the planet jupiter
Voyager probes
Voyager probes