How fast are objects moving in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) described as traveling?
Answer
Tens of thousands of kilometers per hour
Objects orbiting within Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are moving at extremely high orbital velocities, often quantified as tens of thousands of kilometers per hour. This tremendous speed is the factor that translates even tiny pieces of debris, such as paint flecks, into highly dangerous projectiles. Due to the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy, a collision involving these high-speed objects results in massive impacts capable of destroying operational spacecraft or creating thousands of new, smaller debris fragments.
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