Air glider question and air resistance

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the landing speed of a space shuttle glider in the absence of air resistance and determining the average force of air resistance during its descent. The initial calculations involved finding the vertical component of velocity and using the Pythagorean theorem for compound velocity. The participant successfully calculated the work done by air resistance and derived an average force of -1897.8 N. The approach included analyzing the energy lost from potential energy to kinetic energy. The calculations and methodology appear to be on the right track for solving the problem.
BJducky
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Homework Statement


Early test flights for the space shuttle used as a glider (mass of 980kg). After a horizontal launch at 480 km/h at a height of 3500m, the glider eventually landed at a speed of 210 km/h. What would its landing speed have been in the absence of air resistance? also, what was the average force of air resistance exerted on it if it came in at a constant glide angle of 12degrees to the Earth's surface?

I attempted the first question by calculating the vertical component of the velocity and then using the Pythagorean theorem to calculate compound velocity. However, how I am completely at a loss of how to approach the second part. Please help.
 
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HINT: What is the work done by air resistance?
 
So, by using the theta and the given vertical component, I was able to find the total distance. Then, using the initial PE and final KE, I found the difference in energy lost and therefore work done by the air, setting up the equation W=fd I got f(air resistance)=-1897.8N. Does that sound right to you guys?
 

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