Explained in plain English
How long do satellites last?
Satellites like Swift are designed to last many years, often exceeding their initial mission goals. Swift, launched in 2004, has already operated for two decades. However, their lifespan is affected by factors like fuel for orbital adjustments and, as we see with Swift, atmospheric drag which is currently pulling it closer to Earth.
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What is orbital decay? How do satellites get fuel? What is a satellite's mission?This explainer came from a news story
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