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low Earth orbit satellites
Trends
- 1Satellite Engine That Breathes Earth's Atmosphere Proposed▼New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere to Stay in Orbit Indefinitely
Researchers have unveiled a concept for an air-breathing satellite engine that scoops up molecules of Earth's upper atmosphere and uses them as propellant, allowing spacecraft in very low orbit to refuel themselves and stay aloft indefinitely without carrying finite fuel. If proven, the design could enable long-lived Earth observation satellites and new very-low-orbit missions that today decay and burn up within months.
- 2Astronomer turns sinking Starlink satellites into planetary barometer▼Astronomer watches Starlink satellites sinking to build a 'planetary barometer'
An astronomer is tracking how Starlink satellites gradually sink in their orbits and using that data as a 'planetary barometer' to measure conditions in Earth's upper atmosphere. The idea is that changes in satellite orbital decay reveal atmospheric density, offering a novel scientific use for the thousands of SpaceX satellites in low Earth orbit.
- 3Amazon Stock Rises on Satellite Milestone for Starlink Rival▼AMZN Stock Gains On Hitting Satellite Milestone to Launch Starlink Internet Rival This Year
Amazon shares gained after the company hit a key satellite milestone in its effort to launch a broadband internet service to rival SpaceX's Starlink, with the service targeted to begin this year. Investors reacted positively to the progress on Amazon's low-earth-orbit satellite constellation project, which has been in development for several years.