Lunar Orbit Insertion is a propulsive maneuver executed by a spacecraft as it approaches the Moon. The vehicle fires its engines retrograde to slow down just enough to be captured by lunar gravity. If the burn is too short, the spacecraft will fly past the Moon; if it is too long, it will crash into the surface.
Heard on the job
Flight dynamics confirms we're go for LOI, expect loss of signal as they pass behind the Moon.
Also heard as
- lunar orbit insertion