A Deep Space Probe Moving Forward in Space Needs to Make

Multiple Choice

A deep space probe moving forward in space needs to make a course correction and so fires a thruster on the side of the probe $90^{\circ}$ away from its direction of motion, as shown below. This thruster, while on, exerts a constant force on the probe perpendicular to its original direction of motion. While the thruster is operating, which trajectory best describes the probe's motion? (Hint: Note that the thrust force delivers an upward impulse to the probe during every successive time interval. Consider what happens to the ball in figure C2.4 as it receives analogous continual downward impulses.)

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E