3 ms·
> Out of service satellites are still most likely to be able to execute a controlled re-entry How? By a burn? That's a lot of fuel reserve to use up.
by kobeya 9y ago
> Out of service satellites are still most likely to be able to execute a controlled re-entry
How? By a burn? That's a lot of fuel reserve to use up.
- InclinedPlane 9y agoHow much reserve fuel does an out of service satellite need to use after it burns up in Earth's atmosphere? How much fuel do you imagine it takes a satellite to re-enter if it will happen automatically in a matter of a few years? The answer to both is, of course, not much, not much at all.
- Retric 9y agoIt takes minimal energy to deorbit from LEO. By changing the shape of the orbit you spend some time in denser atmosphere which increases drag which quickly deorbits you. Controlled just means they start the processes at a specific time.