1. A spacecraft \(S\) of mass \(m\) moves in a straight line towards the centre, \(O\), of a planet.

The planet is modelled as a fixed sphere of radius \(R\).
The spacecraft \(S\) is modelled as a particle.
The gravitational force of the planet is the only force acting on \(S\).
When \(S\) is a distance \(x ( x \geqslant R )\) from \(O\)

• the gravitational force is directed towards \(O\) and has magnitude \(\frac { m g R ^ { 2 } } { 2 x ^ { 2 } }\)
• the speed of \(S\) is \(v\)
  1. Show that

$$v ^ { 2 } = \frac { g R ^ { 2 } } { x } + C$$ where \(C\) is a constant. When \(x = 3 R , v = \sqrt { 3 g R }\)

Find, in terms of \(g\) and \(R\), the speed of \(S\) as it hits the surface of the planet.