Search found 3 matches
- Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:39 pm
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: TIROS2 Satellite (APOD 16 Oct 2008)
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2090
- Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:38 pm
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: TIROS2 Satellite (APOD 16 Oct 2008)
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2090
Yes, that makes sense that atmospheric drag causes objects in low earth orbit (LEO) to lose altitude. This is shown for the ISS at: http://www.heavens-above.com/issheight.aspx So, why hasn't TIROS2 succumb to this drag over its 48 years in orbit? I assume that like aerodynamic drag on the earth, fro...
- Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:00 pm
- Forum: The Bridge: Discuss an Astronomy Picture of the Day
- Topic: TIROS2 Satellite (APOD 16 Oct 2008)
- Replies: 6
- Views: 2090
TIROS2 Satellite (APOD 16 Oct 2008)
In today's APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081016.html), it shows TIROS2 and the ISS. I am trying to understand why the TIROS2 weather satellite has not fallen to earth in the 48 years it has been in space. It is my understanding that eventually orbits decay (at least ones short of geosynch...