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The service life of satellites in space depends on various factors.
The most important one is Earth drag which pulls every object down to the ground. Its intensity depends on the altitude and the mass of the flying object (e.g. the ISS of about 450 tons (on the ground!) at 400 km is dragged down to Earth by 70 to 100 m every 24 hours).
If you intend to keep a satellite on orbit (in use) you have to counter that drag, for which the satellites also have propellants on board. Since they are part of the precious payload at launch the amount of propellants is calculated for the estimated service life. With no re-boosts in altitude the satellite is bound to decay and not usable any more. For small satellites (like communication satellites) the amount of propellant is a few kilograms only (for minor re-boosts about 100 gram are needed only). The ISS is refuelled in regular intervals via Progress transporters (delivering more than 100 kilograms) and/or the rockets (and fuel) of docked spacecraft are used for re-boosts in order to save on-board fuel.
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How are satellites used in forecasting?
how are satellites used in forecasting insat 1A
What type of orbit is used by gps satellites subsynchronous or sunsynchronous?
Geostationary satellites are the ones used for GPS satellites.
Why are satellites useful in everyday life?
They are used to reflect radio waves to improve long distance communications and they are used for GPS location systems
What do man made satellites do?
man made satellites are used to orbit around the earth. these satellites collect information that can be used for communication, defense, weather forecasting, research etc..
What are space satellites used for?
corn
What is a polar highly elliptical satellite used for?
It is used for communication plates where geostationary satellites can't reach, in polar areas. Russia uses elliptical satellites where the geostationary satellites can't reach.
What kind of satellites are used for Global Positioning Systems?
GPS uses satellites that were placed into orbit by the Department of Defense. The government set up the entire network on their own, and it is free to use as long as you already have a GPS device.
How long will it take to travel to space?
Who high the satellites
How are satellites and computers used in map making?
no
Where was the solar panel first used?
Satellites
What technologies are used to detect typhoons?
satellites
Is satellites can be used to spy on other nation?
yes. images transmitted from a satellite can be used to spy on things. there are currently satellites in space that can read a newspaper.
