Calculating Gas Mass for Spacecraft Course Change

[rubrboots]

Hello

I can't solve this one, can anyone steer me in the right direction.

A 7600-kg space probe is traveling through space at 120 m/s. Mission control determines that a change in course of 30.0° is necessary and instructs the probe to fire rockets perpendicular to its present direction of motion. If the escaping gas leaves the crafts rockets at an average speed of 3200 m/s, what mass of gas should be expelled?

Thanx

 

[nrqed]

Hello

I can't solve this one, can anyone steer me in the right direction.

A 7600-kg space probe is traveling through space at 120 m/s. Mission control determines that a change in course of 30.0° is necessary and instructs the probe to fire rockets perpendicular to its present direction of motion. If the escaping gas leaves the crafts rockets at an average speed of 3200 m/s, what mass of gas should be expelled?

Thanx

Assume that the initial direction is along the positive x axis.
Construct a velocity vector that is directed 30 degrees above the x axis.
What y component do you need to get that angle?

Now use conservation of momentum to figure out how much mass of gas must be expelled so that you get the y component that you need.

Pat

 

[rubrboots]

Thanx nrqed, I think I have it now.