The space probe Deep Space 1 was launched on October24, 1998. Its mass was 474 k

Question

The space probe Deep Space 1 was launched on October24, 1998. Its mass was 474 kg. The goal of the mission was to testa new kind of engine called an ion propulsion drive. This enginegenerates only a weak thrust, but it can do so over long periods oftime with the consumption of only small amounts of fuel. Themission has been spectacularly successful. At a thrust of 56.0 mNhow many days are required for the probe to attain a velocity of915 m/s, assuming that the probe starts from rest and that the massremains nearly constant?

Explanation / Answer

56 mN=56*10-3 N acceleration=trust/mass=56*10-3/474=1.18*10-4m/s2 1 day=24 hrs=24*60 mins=24*60*60 s v=915 m/s u=0 m/s a=1.18*10-4 m/s2 let time taken to attain velocity of 915 m/s=t v=u+a*t 915=0+1.18*10-4*t t=7.75*106 s t=(7.75*106)/(24*60*60)=89.7 days or 90 days

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