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← ScienceWhich outcome arises when a spacecraft uses gravity assist?
A)Increased probe velocity and energy✓
B)Decreased navigational precision marginally
C)Minimized thermal stress to the structure
D)Reduced propellant consumption significantly
💡 Explanation
The spacecraft gains kinetic energy when 'slingshotting' around the planet due to the conservation of energy and momentum during a gravitational interaction; rather than consuming fuel for acceleration, the spacecraft picks up the orbited planet's momentum transferred via gravitational potential energy, therefore increasing the probe velocity.
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