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Anything that drags on a spacecraft will slow it down. In orbit, if you slow down, you go into a lower orbit, which causes more drag, which puts you in a lower orbit. Pretty soon you crash back into the planet.
This is what happens when satellites no longer have the fuel to correct their position which decays over time. Their orbit slows so much that the pull from earth is greater than their ability to resist, and they re-enter the atmosphere. This also happened to Skylab and the Mir space station, and close watch is kept especially if the object is large enough - as they were - to not completely burn up during re-entry.
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What forces or things that affect orbits?
Several factors can affect an orbit, including gravitational pull from nearby objects, atmospheric drag, solar wind, and variations in the shape of the Earth. Changes in velocity, altitude, or direction can also impact an object's orbit. Additionally, perturbations caused by other celestial bodies can influence the path of an object.
Why do you get a clear picture from the hubble telescope when in orbit?
There is no atmospheric interruption from the Hubble because it is outside the atmosphere.
Which factor would most likely cause communications satellite orbiting earth to return to earth from its orbit?
The most likely factor that would cause a communications satellite orbiting Earth to return to Earth from its orbit would be atmospheric drag. As the satellite moves through the Earth's atmosphere, it experiences friction with air molecules which can slow it down and cause its orbit to decay, eventually leading to re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
What happens when an object in orbit looses speed?
If loss of speed does not throw the object's trajectory out of orbit, then the object will descend into a lower orbit, in accordance with the formula r=v2/a, where r is the radius of the orbit, v is the orbital velocity, and a is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2). If there is atmosphere, even very thin atmosphere (as there is for the International Space Station), then as the object descends to a lower orbit, the atmospheric drag will cause the body to slow down even more, which causes the body to descend to a lower orbit, where the atmosphere is thicker, and thus the drag is stronger, and a vicious circle will eventually cause the body to spiral into the surface below.
What do changes in Earths orbit affect?
earths tempertures
What forces are acting on the International Space Station while its in orbit?
The primary forces acting on the International Space Station while in orbit are gravitational force, which keeps it in orbit around Earth, and drag force from the thin atmosphere at higher altitudes, which causes a slight decay in its orbit over time. Additionally, minor forces such as solar radiation pressure and tidal forces from Earth also affect the station.
Can atmospheric pressure affect an object's velocity?
Yes, atmospheric pressure can affect an object's velocity. Higher atmospheric pressure can create more air resistance, which can slow down the object. Conversely, lower atmospheric pressure can result in less air resistance, allowing the object to move faster.
How does a satellite stay in orbit when it still encounters resistance?
Objects in near Earth orbit experience some drag from the from from the atmosphere. (Mind you, it would take a very sensitive instrument to measure atmospheric pressure at 60 miles up.) The answer to the question is that given enough time, the drag will cause the satellite to lose so much momentum that it will crash into Earth. The most famous example of this was Skylab which was launched into orbit in 1973 and burned up in the atmosphere in 1979.
What forces or things that affect orbits?
Several factors can affect an orbit, including gravitational pull from nearby objects, atmospheric drag, solar wind, and variations in the shape of the Earth. Changes in velocity, altitude, or direction can also impact an object's orbit. Additionally, perturbations caused by other celestial bodies can influence the path of an object.
What is the distance between ISS and earth?
The orbit of the International Space Station decays over time and has to be boosted periodically. It tends to be about 220 Miles but solar activity can make it loose altitude be increasing atmospheric drag.
Why are satellites in the exosphere?
Satellites are located in the exosphere because it is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere and provides an ideal environment for satellites to orbit without encountering significant atmospheric drag. This allows satellites to continuously orbit the Earth and perform their intended functions, such as communication, Earth observation, and navigation.
If a satellite which is in orbit 173 miles from earth begins to fall at 1640 feet a day when will it hit the earth?
This isn't a straight forward math question. A satellite in orbit at a height of 173 miles and is experiencing orbital decay of 1640 feet a day will eventually come into contact with the upper atmosphere. Atmospheric drag will begin to affect the orbital decay rate, and it will increase. It will not be long before atmospheric drag, which will be heating the satellite, offers so much resistance that the satellite will be burning up and will be slowing down extremely rapidly. It's orbital decay will not be a linear thing as suggested by the problem posed. Only for a while at the start will its decay rate remain constant.
How does drag affect an aircraft's speed?
Drag is resistance. It lowers it.
Why is the Hubble telescope in orbit?
The Hubble Space Telescope is in orbit around Earth to avoid atmospheric distortion that can affect the quality of its observations. Being above the atmosphere allows Hubble to capture clearer images of the universe without interference from air turbulence.
How do the atmospheric layers affect human life?
The atmospheric layers affect human life. These layers are layers of air.
What does drag affect paper airplanes'?
Drag affects everything that flies.
Does the mass effect the velocity of an object in orbit?
No, the mass of an object does not affect its velocity in orbit. The velocity of an object in orbit is determined by the balance between the gravitational pull of the object it is orbiting and the centripetal force required to maintain that orbit. This relationship is described by the laws of physics and is independent of the object's mass.
