SOLUTION: Kind of a physics/math question and cannot figure out!!!! The space shuttle performs a retro burn for 3.5 minutes to go from an orbital velocity of 17,500 mph to re-entry veloci

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Question 194900: Kind of a physics/math question and cannot figure out!!!!
The space shuttle performs a retro burn for 3.5 minutes to go from an orbital velocity of 17,500 mph to re-entry velocity of 5000 mph.
1) How many miles does the maneuver require?
2) How many g's do the astronauts experience?
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Kind of a physics/math question and cannot figure out!!!!
The space shuttle performs a retro burn for 3.5 minutes to go from an orbital velocity of 17,500 mph to re-entry velocity of 5000 mph.
1) How many miles does the maneuver require?
The average speed for the 3.5 minutes is (17500+5000)/2 = 11250 mph
11250mph*3.5 minutes * 1hr/60 min = 656.25 miles
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2) How many g's do the astronauts experience?
The change in speed is 17500 - 5000 = 12500 mph
12500 mph = 18333 ft/sec
The change in speed took 210 seconds, so the acceleration is
18333/210 = 87.3 ft/sec/sec
87.3/32 = 2.73 g's
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