All articles tagged with #orbital decay
A massive exoplanet, TOI-2109b, is spiraling towards its star in a process called orbital decay, with three possible outcomes: it could be consumed by the star, torn apart by tidal forces, or lose its gaseous layers to become a rocky super-Earth. Researchers are monitoring this process to better understand planetary evolution and star-planet interactions.
A new study explores what happens if a paper airplane is launched from the ISS, finding it would quickly decay and burn up in Earth's atmosphere within about 3.5 days, and suggesting such disposable objects could be used for low-cost atmospheric measurements and space debris management.
Research indicates that increased solar activity shortens the lifespan of SpaceX's Starlink satellites and may cause them to reenter Earth's atmosphere at higher velocities, potentially increasing debris risks. The study highlights the impact of geomagnetic storms on satellite orbit and reentry, emphasizing the growing challenges of managing the increasing number of satellites in Earth's orbit.