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The Rausch radius measures the distance from the surface of the earth to the point 14,000 miles above the surface of the earth. Material in space (in orbit) with no other force moving it, and that is less than 14,000 miles above the earth will eventually crash back into the earth. Material that is more than 14,000 miles above the earth will always remain in orbit, and probably move contiuously further away from the earth. The Rausch radius differs based on the mass of each planet.

For example, when the moon formed, it formed just beyond the

Rausch radius. It has continuously moved further away from the earth at a slow rate. Today, the moon is moving away from the earth at the rate of one-and-one-half inches per year.

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13y ago

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