Process that leads to gradual decrease of the distance between two orbiting bodies
"Decaying Orbit" redirects here. For the 2007 film, see Decaying Orbit (film).
"Inspiral" redirects here. For the racehorse, see Inspiral (horse).
Altitude of Tiangong-1 during its final year of uncontrolled reentry.[1]
Part of a series on
Astrodynamics
Orbital mechanics
Orbital elements
Apsis
Argument of periapsis
Eccentricity
Inclination
Mean anomaly
Orbital nodes
Semi-major axis
True anomaly
Types of two-body orbits by eccentricity
Circular orbit
Elliptic orbit
Transfer orbit
(Hohmann transfer orbit
Bi-elliptic transfer orbit)
Parabolic orbit
Hyperbolic orbit
Radial orbit
Decaying orbit
Equations
Dynamical friction
Escape velocity
Kepler's equation
Kepler's laws of planetary motion
Orbital period
Orbital velocity
Surface gravity
Specific orbital energy
Vis-viva equation
Celestial mechanics
Gravitational influences
Barycenter
Hill sphere
Perturbations
Sphere of influence
N-body orbits
Lagrangian points
(Halo orbits)
Lissajous orbits
Lyapunov orbits
Engineering and efficiency
Preflight engineering
Mass ratio
Payload fraction
Propellant mass fraction
Tsiolkovsky rocket equation
Efficiency measures
Gravity assist
Oberth effect
Propulsive maneuvers
Orbital maneuver
Orbit insertion
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Orbital decay is a gradual decrease of the distance between two orbiting bodies at their closest approach (the periapsis) over many orbital periods. These orbiting bodies can be a planet and its satellite, a star and any object orbiting it, or components of any binary system. If left unchecked, the decay eventually results in termination of the orbit when the smaller object strikes the surface of the primary; or for objects where the primary has an atmosphere, the smaller object burns, explodes, or otherwise breaks up in the larger object's atmosphere; or for objects where the primary is a star, ends with incineration by the star's radiation (such as for comets). Collisions of stellar-mass objects are usually accompanied by effects such as gamma-ray bursts and detectable gravitational waves.
Orbital decay is caused by one or more mechanisms which absorb energy from the orbital motion, such as fluid friction, gravitational anomalies, or electromagnetic effects. For bodies in low Earth orbit, the most significant effect is atmospheric drag.
Due to atmospheric drag, the lowest altitude above the Earth at which an object in a circular orbit can complete at least one full revolution without propulsion is approximately 150 km (93 mi) while the lowest perigee of an elliptical revolution is approximately 90 km (56 mi).
^"Tiangong-1 Orbital Status". Official Website of China Manned Space. China Manned Space Engineering Office. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
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