02-12-2010, 11:47 PM
[quote name='Arun_S' date='12 February 2010 - 11:12 PM' timestamp='1265996086' post='104162']
The original question was for 200 km.
yes ~350 KM LEO will be more useful for longer life crafts.
[/quote]
Hummm
Interesting!
Do you know crafts in low earth orbits experience atmospheric drag in the form of gases (in atmosphere) upto 500 KM?
Let me quote:
A satellite, orbiting around the Earth, would continue to orbit forever if gravity were the only force acting on it. However, satellites below 2000 kilometers, are actually travelling through the Earth's atmosphere.
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/spaceweather/sat_drag.html
The lifetime of a satellite is strongly dependent on its altitude. At 300 km altitude it may last for 20-50 days (depending on the Sun's activity level) before it reenters and burns up. However, at 180 km, this lifetime reduces to mere hours.
The original question was for 200 km.
yes ~350 KM LEO will be more useful for longer life crafts.
[/quote]
Hummm
Interesting!
Do you know crafts in low earth orbits experience atmospheric drag in the form of gases (in atmosphere) upto 500 KM?
Let me quote:
A satellite, orbiting around the Earth, would continue to orbit forever if gravity were the only force acting on it. However, satellites below 2000 kilometers, are actually travelling through the Earth's atmosphere.
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/spaceweather/sat_drag.html
The lifetime of a satellite is strongly dependent on its altitude. At 300 km altitude it may last for 20-50 days (depending on the Sun's activity level) before it reenters and burns up. However, at 180 km, this lifetime reduces to mere hours.