At an aerospace research center, engineers are performing landing safety tests on a prototype planetary landing module.
In one calibration test, a scientific instrument pack of mass 42 kg42 \text{ kg}42 kg is ejected from the module at a constant horizontal velocity of 18 m/s18 \text{ m/s}18 m/s. Calculate the momentum of the instrument pack.
In a landing simulation, the vertical momentum of an onboard auxiliary power unit changes by 1450 kg m/s1450 \text{ kg m/s}1450 kg m/s during a landing impact lasting 0.080 s0.080 \text{ s}0.080 s. Calculate the average vertical force acting on this unit during the impact.
State two physical factors that affect the distance a landing module slides before coming to rest after making contact with a planetary surface.
Use ideas about momentum to explain how deformable shock-absorbing landing pads (which compress during impact) help to prevent damage to the module's electronic payload.