A space probe describes a circular orbit of radius nR with a velocity v0 about a planet of radius R and center O.

Show that

(a) In order for the probe to leave its orbit and hit the planet at an angle θ with the vertical, its velocity must be reduced to αv0, where

(b) The probe will not hit the planet if α is larger than √2/(1+n)

Transcribed Image Text:

nt -sin