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For many years I have wanted to make an "Earth Sat" that is isolated as though it were in orbit, but is here on Earth. There's also the possibility of high alti
by geocrasher 2y ago
For many years I have wanted to make an "Earth Sat" that is isolated as though it were in orbit, but is here on Earth. There's also the possibility of high altitude balloons but those have a finite life. Or might get shot down.
- jeanlucas 2y agoFrom all I understand, almost all SATs, especially LEO ones have a finite life as well. Starlink ones will stay up about 5 years and then de-orbit themselves; but even without de-orbiting itself the (very low) atmospheric drag would take it down eventually after the fuel to keep it in orbit runs out
- geocrasher 2y agoThat is correct. But balloons would be a few orders of magnitude less lifetime.
- xur17 2y agoAny idea why they only want Starlink to stay up for 5 years?
- jeanlucas 2y agoIt's more a physical limitation. Low Earth Orbit satellites (LEO) are closer to the atmosphere and have some friction with it, slowing it down and then gravity does its job. To stay longer you would need less heavier satellites, with more fuel to correct their trajectory. Or fly higher and have more latency. 5 years is just a good compromise.