aerocapture

noun

aero·​cap·​ture ¦er-ō-¦kap-chər 

-shər

: the technique of using atmospheric friction to decelerate a space vehicle as it enters a planet's atmosphere : the use of aerobraking to slow down and capture a space vehicle

But two of the flight plans call for "direct insertion" by aerocapture. In other words, the spacecraft will come screaming into the Martian atmosphere, where drag, not retrorockets, will slow it down.

—Tony Reichhardt, Air & Space, October/November 1999

Aerocapture is being developed for robotic probe missions such as the Mars rovers.

—Shelby G. Spires, Seattle Times, 15 Jan. 2004

Word History

Etymology

aero- + capture entry 1

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

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