1717

A spacecraft cruising in space at a constant velocity of 600 m/s has a mass of 11,000 kg. To slow down the spacecraft, a solid fuel rocket is fired, and the combustion gases leave the rocket at a constant rate of 70 kg/s at a velocity of 1500 m/s in the same direction as the spacecraft for a period of 5 s. Assuming the mass of the spacecraft remains constant, determine (a) the deceleration of the spacecraft during this 5-s period, (b) the change in velocity of the spacecraft during this time period, and (c) the thrust exerted on the spacecraft.