force*timeinseconds= mass*changeinvelocity
compute time in seconds, then convert it to days.
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 59 mN how many days were required for the probe to attain a velocity of 710 m/s (1588 mi/h), assuming that the probe started from rest and that the mass remained nearly constant?
3 answers
The space probe Deep Space I was launched on October 24, 1998. It's 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 49 mN how many days were required for the probe to attain a velocity of 830 m/s (1857 mi/h), assuming that the probe started from rest and that the mass remained nearly constant?
72