slingshot effect cannot increase speed in original direction only sideways?

Answer 1

Yes. The gravity adds a vector to the original vector. So the direction has to change. In theory a double sling shot can put back in to the original direction with a higher speed.

Answer 2

A follow up to the previous post...The double sling shot effect was used to put Cassini (the probe sent to Saturn) onto the correct path. However, it's not a fast "double"...essentially the craft passes by a planet, and then orbits the sun to return back to the planet in approximately a year to get thrown again in the correct path. And objects like Venus and Earth have greater limitations on the amount they can increase since a closer pass means potentially resistance from the atmosphere which has been done to actually slow crafts, such as those at Mars (and in the movie 2010).

Answer 3

Yes and No - Gravity increases your speed in the direction of the object you are using for the slingshot effect, but based on the speed and angle of your approach you won't go into orbit around the object but will fly off in a new direction at a higher speed than you began with.

Answer 4

One thing not stressed in other answers is that it is the orbital motion of the slinging planet that increases or decreases the velocity of a craft, and it's direction. A slingshot over the parts of a planet furthest from the orbital plane would have much less effect on velocity, but the same amount of effect on the direction.

Answer 5

and your question is what?