2 ms·

If they always got the decay correct, we wouldn't have confirmed debris impact on the ground. It would be destroyed long before it reached. https://www.smithso

• BHSPitMonkey 4mo ago
  That satellite's orbit very clearly did decay, though. The problem in that instance is the descent wasn't controlled, but that's a different kind of failure than the one this thread is worried about (i.e. satellites lingering for many years without active collision avoidance).
  • shakna 4mo ago
    Decayed without breaking down, is my point. There was a failure. Which means failure is a possibility and not something to just dismiss.