A space probe of mass M is moving with uniform velocity v far from earth and from other massive bodies,and it is planned to deflect from its trajectory through an angle theta by firing from it a suitable mass at velocity v.Derive an expression for the suitable mass m
Space probe momentum change
= (M-m)v sin theta
= ejected mass momentum = m v
m/(M-m) = sin theta
M/m -1 = csc theta
m/M = 1/[1 + csc theta]