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Space stations aren't deep space it's like 200 miles away from where I'm sitting. Geostationary is something like 100 times that and even out there orbital deca
by giraffe_lady 4y ago
Space stations aren't deep space it's like 200 miles away from where I'm sitting. Geostationary is something like 100 times that and even out there orbital decay is on the scale of like, a human lifetime or two.
This general concept is definitely something for us to consider but this isn't a specific case we need to worry about, I think.
- Dylan16807 4y agoOrbital decay is indeed quite fast at space station levels, but geostationary decay takes roughly forever. (There are geosynchronous orbits that decay quickly, but only at certain inclinations.)
- vikingerik 4y agoGeostationary orbits are well beyond measurable atmospheric drag; the expected lifetime is on the order of millions of years. Geostationary satellites do have a limited oeprational lifespan, but it's not because of orbital decay, it's because they need propellant for stationkeeping to adjust for irregularities in the orbit, and that propellant is finite and eventually runs out.