[amsat-bb] Re: Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat....

[Bill Jones]

While discussing this topic of orbital decay, I wonder if someone would 
comment on the apparent anomoly whereby a sat in leo that encounters drag 
actually speeds up (since as it's altitude decreases, the orbital speed 
increases), and how this might be a factor in the comparison of the heating 
effects on an object that decays gradually from orbit vs an object like the 
shuttle that is taken out of orbit by actually reducing it's speed with 
thrust.   I have my own intuitive theories on this but would like to hear more 
informed opinions.