gravity drag (uncountable)

1. (astronautics) 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).

   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.