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Could a satellite survive for thousands of years in a high enough orbit? [duplicate]
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This question already has an answer here:
What would be the (most difficult) challenge to make a “10,000 year satellite�
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Let's suppose that an advanced alien civilization explored the Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago and then left a satellite in a high orbit, say of a radius of 100.000 km.
Could such a satellite survive for that very long time, so that present–day space explorers might find and retrieve it...?
artificial-satellite
asked Sep 6 at 14:00
xxavier
25216
marked as duplicate by Organic Marble, Nathan Tuggy, Rob, JCRM, Fred Sep 7 at 3:10
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
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up vote
13
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
What would be the (most difficult) challenge to make a “10,000 year satellite�
7 answers
Let's suppose that an advanced alien civilization explored the Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago and then left a satellite in a high orbit, say of a radius of 100.000 km.
Could such a satellite survive for that very long time, so that present–day space explorers might find and retrieve it...?
artificial-satellite
asked Sep 6 at 14:00
xxavier
25216
marked as duplicate by Organic Marble, Nathan Tuggy, Rob, JCRM, Fred Sep 7 at 3:10
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
23
What if they left it at 238,900 miles, and it was a big rock? That should last. :)
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:02
3
Although, retrieving Luna might be a nontrivial task.
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:05
5
An object in a high orbit of about 100,000 km would survive hundreds of thousands of years, but the functionality of a satellite (mechanics, electronics, fuel, attitude control and more) would not. But a totally passive satellite could.
– Uwe
Sep 6 at 15:36
@Uwe - But, "advanced." :) Maybe they have electronics tech that lasts for hundreds of thousands of years. Apparently, they know nothing about "planned obsolescence."
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 15:55
@xxavier - So, I guess what this leads to is, can you add clarification to your question by defining what you mean by "survive"? Do you mean, "it's a time capsule with a map to their homeworld"? Or, do you mean, "The electronics still work?"
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 16:09
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show 5 more comments
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
up vote
13
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
What would be the (most difficult) challenge to make a “10,000 year satellite�
7 answers
Let's suppose that an advanced alien civilization explored the Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago and then left a satellite in a high orbit, say of a radius of 100.000 km.
Could such a satellite survive for that very long time, so that present–day space explorers might find and retrieve it...?
artificial-satellite
asked Sep 6 at 14:00
xxavier
25216
This question already has an answer here:
What would be the (most difficult) challenge to make a “10,000 year satellite�
7 answers
Let's suppose that an advanced alien civilization explored the Earth hundreds of thousands of years ago and then left a satellite in a high orbit, say of a radius of 100.000 km.
Could such a satellite survive for that very long time, so that present–day space explorers might find and retrieve it...?
This question already has an answer here:
What would be the (most difficult) challenge to make a “10,000 year satellite�
7 answers
artificial-satellite
asked Sep 6 at 14:00
xxavier
25216
asked Sep 6 at 14:00
xxavier
25216
asked Sep 6 at 14:00
xxavier
25216
asked Sep 6 at 14:00
xxavier
25216
25216
marked as duplicate by Organic Marble, Nathan Tuggy, Rob, JCRM, Fred Sep 7 at 3:10
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by Organic Marble, Nathan Tuggy, Rob, JCRM, Fred Sep 7 at 3:10
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
23
What if they left it at 238,900 miles, and it was a big rock? That should last. :)
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:02
3
Although, retrieving Luna might be a nontrivial task.
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:05
5
An object in a high orbit of about 100,000 km would survive hundreds of thousands of years, but the functionality of a satellite (mechanics, electronics, fuel, attitude control and more) would not. But a totally passive satellite could.
– Uwe
Sep 6 at 15:36
@Uwe - But, "advanced." :) Maybe they have electronics tech that lasts for hundreds of thousands of years. Apparently, they know nothing about "planned obsolescence."
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 15:55
@xxavier - So, I guess what this leads to is, can you add clarification to your question by defining what you mean by "survive"? Do you mean, "it's a time capsule with a map to their homeworld"? Or, do you mean, "The electronics still work?"
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 16:09
 |Â
show 5 more comments
23
What if they left it at 238,900 miles, and it was a big rock? That should last. :)
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:02
3
Although, retrieving Luna might be a nontrivial task.
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:05
5
An object in a high orbit of about 100,000 km would survive hundreds of thousands of years, but the functionality of a satellite (mechanics, electronics, fuel, attitude control and more) would not. But a totally passive satellite could.
– Uwe
Sep 6 at 15:36
@Uwe - But, "advanced." :) Maybe they have electronics tech that lasts for hundreds of thousands of years. Apparently, they know nothing about "planned obsolescence."
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 15:55
@xxavier - So, I guess what this leads to is, can you add clarification to your question by defining what you mean by "survive"? Do you mean, "it's a time capsule with a map to their homeworld"? Or, do you mean, "The electronics still work?"
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 16:09
23
23
What if they left it at 238,900 miles, and it was a big rock? That should last. :)
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:02
What if they left it at 238,900 miles, and it was a big rock? That should last. :)
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:02
3
3
Although, retrieving Luna might be a nontrivial task.
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:05
Although, retrieving Luna might be a nontrivial task.
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:05
5
5
An object in a high orbit of about 100,000 km would survive hundreds of thousands of years, but the functionality of a satellite (mechanics, electronics, fuel, attitude control and more) would not. But a totally passive satellite could.
– Uwe
Sep 6 at 15:36
An object in a high orbit of about 100,000 km would survive hundreds of thousands of years, but the functionality of a satellite (mechanics, electronics, fuel, attitude control and more) would not. But a totally passive satellite could.
– Uwe
Sep 6 at 15:36
@Uwe - But, "advanced." :) Maybe they have electronics tech that lasts for hundreds of thousands of years. Apparently, they know nothing about "planned obsolescence."
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 15:55
@Uwe - But, "advanced." :) Maybe they have electronics tech that lasts for hundreds of thousands of years. Apparently, they know nothing about "planned obsolescence."
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 15:55
@xxavier - So, I guess what this leads to is, can you add clarification to your question by defining what you mean by "survive"? Do you mean, "it's a time capsule with a map to their homeworld"? Or, do you mean, "The electronics still work?"
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 16:09
@xxavier - So, I guess what this leads to is, can you add clarification to your question by defining what you mean by "survive"? Do you mean, "it's a time capsule with a map to their homeworld"? Or, do you mean, "The electronics still work?"
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 16:09
 |Â
show 5 more comments
2 Answers
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Certainly. For instance, the two LAGEOS satellites, orbiting at 5,900 km, are expected to remain in orbit for eight million years or more. Those satellites were made especially dense, which will also tend to slow orbital decay. But less compact satellites in high orbits should do fine for long periods as well.
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
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Yes. Look at the moon round the earth, asteroids around the sun, comets, and many other natural objects.
A satellite is "just another object". If they can have orbits that last billions of years, it's fairly certain an appropriate object created by humans and placed in an appropriate orbit, could last a very long time indeed as well.
The limitations relate to the mass and size of the object, and any friction or other effects it experiences. So all things being equal, a tiny satellite in the same orbit as the moon, would last a long long time, but it might be more affected by microimpacts, solar wind, heating/cooling effects, gas emissions (the moon has had a long time to stabilise but our satellite may still release tiny amounts of vapour/gas for many years as it warms/cools), low level gases in space, etc. It also lacks the sheer mass and momentum/angular momentum to absorb potential tiny causes of drift.
So it might not last as long, but it would seem likely to have the potential to last a very long time indeed, if not necessarily billions of years. How long? That depends on size, design, orbit, object orbited, etc. I'd be amazed if it wasn't of the order of >= millions of years with comparative ease, but that's a guess, not informed knowledge.
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
17
down vote
Certainly. For instance, the two LAGEOS satellites, orbiting at 5,900 km, are expected to remain in orbit for eight million years or more. Those satellites were made especially dense, which will also tend to slow orbital decay. But less compact satellites in high orbits should do fine for long periods as well.
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
Certainly. For instance, the two LAGEOS satellites, orbiting at 5,900 km, are expected to remain in orbit for eight million years or more. Those satellites were made especially dense, which will also tend to slow orbital decay. But less compact satellites in high orbits should do fine for long periods as well.
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
add a comment |Â
up vote
17
down vote
up vote
17
down vote
Certainly. For instance, the two LAGEOS satellites, orbiting at 5,900 km, are expected to remain in orbit for eight million years or more. Those satellites were made especially dense, which will also tend to slow orbital decay. But less compact satellites in high orbits should do fine for long periods as well.
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
Certainly. For instance, the two LAGEOS satellites, orbiting at 5,900 km, are expected to remain in orbit for eight million years or more. Those satellites were made especially dense, which will also tend to slow orbital decay. But less compact satellites in high orbits should do fine for long periods as well.
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
answered Sep 6 at 16:03
Mark Foskey
78238
78238
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Yes. Look at the moon round the earth, asteroids around the sun, comets, and many other natural objects.
A satellite is "just another object". If they can have orbits that last billions of years, it's fairly certain an appropriate object created by humans and placed in an appropriate orbit, could last a very long time indeed as well.
The limitations relate to the mass and size of the object, and any friction or other effects it experiences. So all things being equal, a tiny satellite in the same orbit as the moon, would last a long long time, but it might be more affected by microimpacts, solar wind, heating/cooling effects, gas emissions (the moon has had a long time to stabilise but our satellite may still release tiny amounts of vapour/gas for many years as it warms/cools), low level gases in space, etc. It also lacks the sheer mass and momentum/angular momentum to absorb potential tiny causes of drift.
So it might not last as long, but it would seem likely to have the potential to last a very long time indeed, if not necessarily billions of years. How long? That depends on size, design, orbit, object orbited, etc. I'd be amazed if it wasn't of the order of >= millions of years with comparative ease, but that's a guess, not informed knowledge.
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
New contributor
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
Yes. Look at the moon round the earth, asteroids around the sun, comets, and many other natural objects.
A satellite is "just another object". If they can have orbits that last billions of years, it's fairly certain an appropriate object created by humans and placed in an appropriate orbit, could last a very long time indeed as well.
The limitations relate to the mass and size of the object, and any friction or other effects it experiences. So all things being equal, a tiny satellite in the same orbit as the moon, would last a long long time, but it might be more affected by microimpacts, solar wind, heating/cooling effects, gas emissions (the moon has had a long time to stabilise but our satellite may still release tiny amounts of vapour/gas for many years as it warms/cools), low level gases in space, etc. It also lacks the sheer mass and momentum/angular momentum to absorb potential tiny causes of drift.
So it might not last as long, but it would seem likely to have the potential to last a very long time indeed, if not necessarily billions of years. How long? That depends on size, design, orbit, object orbited, etc. I'd be amazed if it wasn't of the order of >= millions of years with comparative ease, but that's a guess, not informed knowledge.
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
New contributor
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
Yes. Look at the moon round the earth, asteroids around the sun, comets, and many other natural objects.
A satellite is "just another object". If they can have orbits that last billions of years, it's fairly certain an appropriate object created by humans and placed in an appropriate orbit, could last a very long time indeed as well.
The limitations relate to the mass and size of the object, and any friction or other effects it experiences. So all things being equal, a tiny satellite in the same orbit as the moon, would last a long long time, but it might be more affected by microimpacts, solar wind, heating/cooling effects, gas emissions (the moon has had a long time to stabilise but our satellite may still release tiny amounts of vapour/gas for many years as it warms/cools), low level gases in space, etc. It also lacks the sheer mass and momentum/angular momentum to absorb potential tiny causes of drift.
So it might not last as long, but it would seem likely to have the potential to last a very long time indeed, if not necessarily billions of years. How long? That depends on size, design, orbit, object orbited, etc. I'd be amazed if it wasn't of the order of >= millions of years with comparative ease, but that's a guess, not informed knowledge.
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
New contributor
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Yes. Look at the moon round the earth, asteroids around the sun, comets, and many other natural objects.
A satellite is "just another object". If they can have orbits that last billions of years, it's fairly certain an appropriate object created by humans and placed in an appropriate orbit, could last a very long time indeed as well.
The limitations relate to the mass and size of the object, and any friction or other effects it experiences. So all things being equal, a tiny satellite in the same orbit as the moon, would last a long long time, but it might be more affected by microimpacts, solar wind, heating/cooling effects, gas emissions (the moon has had a long time to stabilise but our satellite may still release tiny amounts of vapour/gas for many years as it warms/cools), low level gases in space, etc. It also lacks the sheer mass and momentum/angular momentum to absorb potential tiny causes of drift.
So it might not last as long, but it would seem likely to have the potential to last a very long time indeed, if not necessarily billions of years. How long? That depends on size, design, orbit, object orbited, etc. I'd be amazed if it wasn't of the order of >= millions of years with comparative ease, but that's a guess, not informed knowledge.
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
New contributor
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited Sep 6 at 20:42
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
New contributor
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
answered Sep 6 at 20:37
Stilez
1212
1212
New contributor
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Stilez is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
23
What if they left it at 238,900 miles, and it was a big rock? That should last. :)
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:02
3
Although, retrieving Luna might be a nontrivial task.
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 14:05
5
An object in a high orbit of about 100,000 km would survive hundreds of thousands of years, but the functionality of a satellite (mechanics, electronics, fuel, attitude control and more) would not. But a totally passive satellite could.
– Uwe
Sep 6 at 15:36
@Uwe - But, "advanced." :) Maybe they have electronics tech that lasts for hundreds of thousands of years. Apparently, they know nothing about "planned obsolescence."
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 15:55
@xxavier - So, I guess what this leads to is, can you add clarification to your question by defining what you mean by "survive"? Do you mean, "it's a time capsule with a map to their homeworld"? Or, do you mean, "The electronics still work?"
– Don Branson
Sep 6 at 16:09