gravity drag

noun

The resistance felt by a vehicle ascending against the force of gravity; reduction in delta-v experienced as a result of the partial cancellation by gravity of the vertical component of the thrust applied by a vehicle's engine(s).

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Meanings

noungravity drag (uncountable)
  1. uncountablespace flightaerospaceThe resistance felt by a vehicle ascending against the force of gravity; reduction in delta-v experienced as a result of the partial cancellation by gravity of the vertical component of the thrust applied by a vehicle's engine(s).

    For GTO missions, the launch vehicle follows a significantly shallower flightpath than for LEO missions, considerably reducing gravity drag at the expense of a significantly increased thermal loading and somewhat greater structural loads and aerodynamic drag.

Cite this entry
APA

gravity drag. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gravity%20drag

MLA

“gravity drag.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gravity%20drag. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gravity drag,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gravity%20drag.

Source: gravity drag on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.