In the best case scenario for a gravity boost, a spacecraft approaches a planet very closely and does a U-turn around it, heading back exactly in the direction it came (see the image below).

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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In the best case scenario for a gravity boost, a
spacecraft approaches a planet very closely and
does a U-turn around it, heading back exactly in
the direction it came (see the image below).
Before Collision
After Collision
If the spacecraft was initially going to the right
with a speed of 5 km/s, and the planet was
going to the left at a speed of 9 km/s, what
would be the fastest the spacecraft could be
going after the U-turn, in km/s?
Hint: Use questions B5 and B6 from the 6.3
worksheet to answer this question.
Transcribed Image Text:In the best case scenario for a gravity boost, a spacecraft approaches a planet very closely and does a U-turn around it, heading back exactly in the direction it came (see the image below). Before Collision After Collision If the spacecraft was initially going to the right with a speed of 5 km/s, and the planet was going to the left at a speed of 9 km/s, what would be the fastest the spacecraft could be going after the U-turn, in km/s? Hint: Use questions B5 and B6 from the 6.3 worksheet to answer this question.
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