24 Sep
2013
24 Sep
'13
9:27 p.m.
On 9/24/2013 10:45 AM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
Actually the impact concern is the AREA
Which leads to a surprising problem. Suppose a cubesat at the end of it's mission deploys some sort of sail intended to increase atmospheric drag and shorten time to re-entry. Good idea right? Maybe not, since you are potentially increasing the number of square-meter-years in orbit. From an overall risk perspective, it might be better to leave the smaller object in orbit longer.
-Joe KM1P