NASA's Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars on May 25th, 2008. In order to avoid crashing down onto the surface the spacecr
Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 9:18 pm
NASA's Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars on May 25th, 2008. In order to avoid crashing down onto the surface the spacecraft deployed downward-facing thrusters. During one point of its descent the spacecraft was slowing down at a rate of 2.50 m/s2. The acceleration due to gravity on Mars is about 3.72 m/s2. At that time, was the magnitude of the force on the spacecraft due to the thrusters greater or smaller than the magnitude of the gravitational pull on the craft due to Mars? Explain your answer.