A space craft is in an elliptical orbit around the sun, a = 0.5 AU, e= 0.5 At pe

Question

A space craft is in an elliptical orbit around the sun, a = 0.5 AU, e= 0.5

At perihelion it deploys a massless solar sail, normal to a line from the sun to the craft.

The sail exactly balances radiation pressure and the gravitation force from the sun.

After the sail is released, it's held in place and kept aligned such that it's surface is normal to the sun-craft line

1.) What will happen to the space craft? (Be as quantitative as possible), consider only effects from radiation pressure and gravity from the sun.

2.) Suppose it's new orbit takes it to pluto. How long until the spacecraft reaches Pluto (Pluto is 40AU from sun)?

Explanation / Answer

1)By law of conservation of momentum,since the total mass from the craft has reduced,hence its velocity will increse.For this velocity,a larger orbit will be required or otherwise a greater centripetal force which is not possible since the graviatational pull has reduced due to reduction in mass.

2)The total distance of the craft from Pluto is [40^2 + {0.5(1+0.5)}^2]^0.5.Cant calculate the time without velocity.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.