The space probe Deep Space I was launched on October 24, 1998. Its mass was 474

Question

The space probe Deep Space I was launched on October 24, 1998. Its mass was 474 kg. The goal of the mission was to test a new kind of engine called an ion propulsion drive. This engine generated only a weak thrust, but it could do so over long periods of time with the consumption of only small amounts of fuel. The mission was spetacularly successful. At a thrust of 52 mN how many days were required for the probe to attain a velocity of 875 m/s (1957 mi/h), assuming that the probe started from rest and that the mass remained nearly constant? days

Explanation / Answer

First apply F = ma

52 X 10^-3 = 474(a)

a = 1.10 X 10^-4 m/s^2

Next apply vf = vo + at

875 = 0 + (1.10 X 10^-4)(t)

t = 7.98 X 10^6 sec

Converting those seconds to days, we get 92.3 days

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