How long are objects left derelict in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) expected to remain an orbital hazard?
Answer
For millennia
Objects situated in Geostationary Orbit (GEO), which is located near 36,000 kilometers altitude, exhibit extreme longevity as orbital hazards. At this height, the atmosphere is effectively non-existent, meaning there is virtually no atmospheric friction to induce orbital decay. Consequently, debris residing in GEO can persist and pose a threat to operational assets for timescales measured in millennia, creating a legacy environmental problem that transcends many human generations.
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