The space probe Deep Space 1 was launched on October 24, 1998. Its mass was 474

Question

The space probe Deep Space 1 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 spectacularly successful. At a thrust of 56 mN how many days were required for the probe to attain a velocity of 740 m/s (1660 mi/h), assuming that the probe started from rest and that the mass remained nearly constant?

Explanation / Answer

Here, acceleration = 56 * 10-3/474

                                = 0.1181 * 10-3 m/sec2

=> time = 740/ 0.1181 * 10-3

                =   72.52 days   -----------> days were required for the probe

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