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RE: ESA's Air Breathing Satellite
That's such an interesting use of ion drives.
Do you know what the drag would be at 150km altitude?
Thanks for another interesting post.
That's such an interesting use of ion drives.
Do you know what the drag would be at 150km altitude?
Thanks for another interesting post.
Form what I understand the drag varies depending on the solar cycle, solar storms and whether you are on the day or night side.
Having said that I would guess that there are still billions of molecules per cubic metre and the drag will be enough to drop your height by a few metres or more per orbit.
You're right. 150 km was a bit too low for my calculated orbit. The Tiangong re-entry data makes that obvious.
I really should have gone with at least 200 km.
Not that it makes any real difference to the orbital period though.