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Can they adjust the ISS orbit so it is not in jeopardy every 90 minutes?
by tamaharbor 5y ago
Can they adjust the ISS orbit so it is not in jeopardy every 90 minutes?
- Kye 5y agoOrbits are chosen for a reason. Changing it to one that's less ideal is expensive in money and fuel, and complicates things for the support system on the ground. Going higher is probably more efficient for the station itself since there's less drag, but it costs more to send a rocket there.
- ericbarrett 5y agoHigher is also closer to the Van Allen radiation belts, which are pretty intense. They start at ~680km above sea level, though this is highly dependent on latitude and space weather; ISS orbits around 400km.
- sp332 5y agoThe satellite was around 450 km up, and the ISS stays around 400 km. The bulk of the debris should still be above them. The bits that traveled down 50 km in a day should clear out soon; one astronaut said tomorrow will be quieter.