Grav Sling Shot: Understanding Inelastic Collisions w/o Contact Forces

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A gravity slingshot utilizes the gravitational field of a planet to alter the trajectory and speed of a spacecraft without direct contact forces. This process is often described as an inelastic collision, where the spacecraft gains energy from the planet's gravity. The gravitational field does work on the projectile, effectively changing its momentum. Calculating the trajectory involves understanding orbital mechanics and the conservation of momentum principles. This method allows for efficient space travel by leveraging gravitational forces rather than traditional propulsion.
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i was wondering how a grav sling shot works, a textbook of mine says is an inelastic collision with the planets gravational field, however I am not familiar with a non-traditional momentum problem/collision when there are no contact forces, does the gravity field just do work on the slinged shot projectile, further more how could u calc its trajectory, and yes i know become an aerospace engie is an answer I am not looking for that...
 
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