Let€™s investigate a possible vertical landing on Mars that includes two segments: free fall followed by a parachute deployment. Assume the probe is close to the surface, so the Martian acceleration due to gravity is constant at 3.00 m/s2. Suppose the lander is initially moving vertically downward at 200 m/s at a height of 20 000 m above the surface. Neglect air resistance during the free-fall phase. Assume it first free falls for 8000 m. (The parachute doesn€™t open until the lander is 12 000 m from the surface. See Fig. 2.29.)

(a) Determine the lander€™s speed at the end of the 8000-m free-fall drop.
(b) At 12 000 m above the surface, the parachute deploys and the lander immediately begins to slow. If it can survive hitting the surface at speeds of up to 20.0 m/s, determine the mini-mum constant deceleration needed during this phase.
(c) What is the total time taken to land from the original height of 20 000 m?

Transcribed Image Text:

Free fall for 8000 m 72 Parachute slowdown for the last 12 000 m 73 1p4 0 Just above the Martian surface