3 ms·
The vast majority of new satellites are being placed into low earth orbit, which is cleaned up fairly quick by atmospheric drag. You can see this on an animat
by mcpackieh 3y ago
The vast majority of new satellites are being placed into low earth orbit, which is cleaned up fairly quick by atmospheric drag. You can see this on an animated Gabbard diagram: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRUaENzxH44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRUaENzxH44
In higher orbits, particularly GEO (like the satellite in question), it's much more of a problem. Laser brooms might one day be used to deorbit small pieces of debris, but dead satellites beyond LEO will need to be grabbed and tugged/thrown into safer orbits.