[amsat-bb] Re: XW-1 == YAOGAN 8 ?

[Alexandru Csete]

The influence of the drag force also depends on the mass since F=m*a,
so the same drag force will cause less deceleration on a heavier
satellite. You have to put this together with F=pressure*surface_area
to take both the size and the mass of the satellite into account.

By the way, is there any significant atmospheric drag at 1200 km
altitude?

73
Alex OZ9AEC


On Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:56:20 +0000
Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF <nigel at ngunn.net> wrote:

> OK, I'll revise my earlier question and suggest a reply.
> 
> The physically larger satellite will have more atmospheric drag which
> will spiral it into a lower orbit. The lower orbit, the higher the
> velocity and thereforeit crosses your horizon earlier.
> 
> Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote:
> 
> > 
> > Is this correct that the higher mass satellite travels faster than
> > the lower mass of XW?
> > 
> 
>