Aerobraking is a spaceflight maneuver that reduces the high point (apoapsis) of an elliptical orbit by repeatedly flying a spacecraft through the upper atmosphere of a planet at the low point (periapsis) of its orbit, using atmospheric drag to slow the vehicle instead of expending propellant. It has been used to circularize the orbits of several planetary missions, trading a longer approach phase for a large reduction in the fuel mass a spacecraft must carry.
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Proposed ByNot documented in the sources consulted
The Wikipedia Aerobraking article and its cited NASA technical reports, checked 2026-09-12, name no individual as having proposed the technique. The article records only that Hiten (MUSES-A) demonstrated the first aerobraking maneuver on 19 March 1991 and that Magellan made the first operational use in May 1993, already this entity's own formulated-year fact. Concept Domain Formulated YearAerobraking was first used operationally during the extended Venusian mission of the Magellan spacecraft in May 1993, and was later used by Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Connections
Associated With
Mars Odyssey used aerobraking to reach its science orbit
Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter used aerobraking to lower its orbit
Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Sources
1. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Wikimedia Foundation- Associated With: Orbital Mechanics
- Associated With: Delta-v
- Associated With: Hohmann Transfer Orbit
View the Source 2. NASA Solar System Exploration
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationAerobraking, missions sectionQuote, Aerobraking, missions section
In May 1993, aerobraking was used during the extended Venusian mission of the Magellan spacecraft.
Aerobraking (Wikipedia)
Aerobraking, lead section
Aerobraking is a spaceflight maneuver that reduces the high point of an elliptical orbit (apoapsis) by flying the vehicle through the atmosphere at the low point of the orbit (periapsis).
In Group: Orbital Maneuvers and Entry, Lead sentence
Aerobraking is a spaceflight maneuver that reduces the high point of an elliptical orbit (apoapsis) by flying the vehicle through the atmosphere at the low point of the orbit (periapsis).
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