The intervening weeks will be spent in a manoeuvre called aerobraking, which involves using the air-resistance of the thin Martian atmosphere to change the elliptical initial orbit into a circular one from which the planet's surface can be examined in detail.

ECONOMIST: Mars Odyssey

By changing the angle of its wings and its body, the moth was able to create a delicate balance between the thrust pushing it forwards, the drag - or air resistance - pushing against it, and the lift keeping it in the air.

BBC: Footage reveals how insects use their bodies to hover

Although swimmers and sprinters face no resistance beyond water and air, peak-performance feats in other sports must face strong defenses, which only improve as each sport gains sophistication.

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Unfortunately, because of the nature of air circulation, any downward-pointing force created aerodynamically generates a backward-pointing resistance in the process just as an increase in the lift of an aircraft wing as the flaps are lowered for take-off or landing creates more drag in the process, forcing the pilot to open the engine throttles to overcome the extra wind resistance.

ECONOMIST: CAR DESIGN

Super-G skiers have poles that are curved to fit around the body to reduce air resistance.

BBC: Sport - Winter Sports - Alpine skiing: Super-G