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Left all alone, any man-made satellite with any part of its orbit within a couple hundred miles of the surface will eventually drop out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere, because it gradually loses energy plowing through the tenuous atmosphere even at that altitude. The International Space Station, at about 240 miles above the surface, loses several miles of orbital altitude every month, and has to have a bump from its onboard thrusters to restore the desired orbit. The process can be hastened with a bump from onboard thrusters that's timed just right so as to reduce the minimum point of the orbit to a low altitude, well into a more dense portion of the atmosphere. The atmosphere itself then does the rest of the job, robbing the satellite of so much kinetic energy that it can no longer maintain orbit. Technically, there's another answer to the question: If the satellite is boosted into a state of higher energy, so that it assumes a solar orbit, or leaves the solar system entirely, that maneuver would also be considered as having removed the satellite from earth orbit.

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14y ago
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13y ago

On February 14, 2008 a modified SM-3 (RIM-161) missile was launched to destroy the failed American satellite USA 193.

Laser or nuclear bomb

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12y ago

Same as any satellite.

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Q: How can satellites be destroyed?
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What satellites or missions have explored Venus?

Yes satellites have visited space but they were destroyed by the heat pressure


What are the uses of old satellites?

Old satellites that are in orbit and still powered continue to perform their function. Old satellites that have no power and are still in orbit have no use. Those that fall from orbit have no use as the are destroyed on reentry. Old satellites that have never been launched could be used as museum exhibits.


Is nasa sending satellites to space to cool the ozone layer down?

No. The ozone layer would be more easily destroyed than cooled by anything lofted there.


What advantage do weather satellites have over ground based weather stations?

They are not affected by conditions on the ground. Ground-based stations could be destroyed by severe weather (such as tornadoes or hurricanes). Satellites don't get affected by Earth's weather. Of course - satellites are at risk of meteor strike and solar radiation - but there's less chance of them being damaged.


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No, because rings are not satellites, but the moons are satellites.


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There are no known satellites of Mercury.


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Satellites that are controled by someone


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It has 3 satellites!


What would happen if satellites were destroyed?

probably ever thing will be shut down all electricity and some vehicle which are guided by satellite will crash almost everything will be shut down. even some gun military scope that are powered by satellites will be shutdown. all the ship will be lost in seas. and it will take years to get back normal.