What controlled maneuver is often commanded for an upper stage reaching Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)?

Answer

A deorbit burn to allow atmospheric drag to pull it back to Earth.

When a spent upper stage has completed its mission in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), mission controllers prioritize mitigating the creation of long-term space debris. If the vehicle is in a relatively low orbit, a controlled deorbit burn is commanded. This maneuver involves firing the remaining engine system in a retrograde direction, which intentionally slows the stage down just enough. This slight reduction in velocity allows the natural, residual drag from the upper layers of the atmosphere to take over, gradually pulling the hardware back down through re-entry where it is intended to burn up or impact a designated, unpopulated ocean area, often referred to as a 'spacecraft cemetery'.

What controlled maneuver is often commanded for an upper stage reaching Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)?

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