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8.  The space probe
Deep Space 1
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 spectacularly successful. At a
thrust of 56 mN how many days were required for the
probe to attain a velocity of 805 m/s (1800 mi/h), assuming that the probe
started from rest and that the mass remained nearly constant?
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