Early test flights for the space shuttle used a \"glider\" (mass of 980 kg inclu

Question

Early test flights for the space shuttle used a "glider" (mass of 980 kg including pilot). After a horizontal launch at 580 km/h from a height of 3300 m , the glider eventually landed at a speed of 210 km/h.

Part A

What would its landing speed have been in the absence of air resistance?

Express your answer using two significant figures.

Part B

What was the average force of air resistance exerted on it if it came in at a constant glide of 12 to the Earth?

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Explanation / Answer

(a) Conserve energy: v² = u² + 2as = (580/3.6 m/s)² + 2 * 9.8m/s² * 3300m = 90636.8 m²/s²
v = 301.06 m/s * 3.6km/h / 1m/s = 1083.81 km/h

(b) Energy lost = work done (and what's "lost" is what it would have been minus what it is)
½m(v² - u²) = F * d = F * h / sin
½ * 980kg * (90636.8 - (210/3.6)²)m²/s² = F * 3300m / sin12º
F = 2693.07 N

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