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Earth orbit is like a funnel. If you're in geo-synchronous orbit, you're at the top edge (Earth is down by the hole). It's easier to jump off the edge of the fu
by jvm_ 7y ago
Earth orbit is like a funnel. If you're in geo-synchronous orbit, you're at the top edge (Earth is down by the hole). It's easier to jump off the edge of the funnel (and fall into the Sun's funnel) than it is to climb all the way back down to earth.
- fennecfoxen 7y agoThe idea that there is an "edge" to the funnel is misleading. And if there were any edge, and it was at geosynchronous orbit, the Moon would have fallen off long ago.
- jvm_ 7y agoI guess the edge is more of the sweet spot where geosynchronous exists, too close or too far are both non-GEO.