Err..A spacecraft will approach a planet at an angle to the planets orbital path. By swinging behind the planet, an increase in speed can be achieved, and by swining in front of the planet's path a decrease in speed is achieved.
nah the surfing book is wrong.. it will speed up when u approach from the back.. momentum is transferredundalay said:No you didn't lol
Firstly for the slignshot effect. Maximum kinetic energy gain, is when the probe meets the planet head on, the probe will speed up the most this way (source: surfing physics), so that kinda contradicts how you said it will slow down (what are your sources?).
My questions still stand:
Can momentum be transfered from space probe to a planet?
If so, what are the conditions for this.
If not, why ?