They speed up as they re-enter and it is all over in a single orbit or so. Lots of hams captured the re-entry of the APRS RAFT satellite and you can see it warming over the last few days and then rapid rise in the last 12 hours or so:

http://aprs.org/craft/save-raft.html

It was still working up to 2 hours before re-entry. Might have even been closer, but we may not have had someone in range of it on its last bleep...

Bob, Wb4APR

-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org On Behalf Of Francis Geraci Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2019 5:32 PM To: Suryono Adisoemarta via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Decaying Satellites

I am wondering if, as a Sat. decays, getting closer to Earth, will there be "better" comms ? Guess they will be moving faster. Will the Keps "decay"? Interference from "reentry" heating ? Battery's gone first ? Solar panels "ripped" off. Or, Just GONE ! Orbital mechanics at it best. Wondering what the "mechanics" of re-entry are. Can't be "pretty". Poor little satellites. So many people, worked SO hard to get them there. Just curious.

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