NASA has asked your team of rocket scientist about the feasibiltiyof a new satellite launcher that will save rocket fuel. NASA's ideais basically an electric slingshot that consists of 4 electrodesarranged in a horizontal square with sides of length 5.0 m at aheight 15.0 m above the ground. The satellite isthen placed on the ground aligned with the center of the square. Apower supply will provide each of the four electrodes with a charge+Q/4 and the satellite with a charge -Q. When the satellite isreleased from rest, it moves up and passes through the center ofthe square. At the instant it reaches the square's center, thepower supply is turned off and the electrodes are grounded, givingthem a zero electric charge. To test this idea, you decide to useenergy considerations to calculate how big Q will have to be to geta 165 kg satellite to an orbit 250 km above the Earth'ssurface.
