What crucial resource usage necessitates a cost-benefit analysis before executing a Collision Avoidance Maneuver (CAM)?

Answer

The use of precious onboard propellant

Executing a Collision Avoidance Maneuver (CAM) is a deliberate expenditure that shortens the operational life of the satellite. Any orbital adjustment requires firing thrusters, which consumes onboard propellant, often referred to as fuel. Since fuel is the ultimate finite resource defining how long a satellite can remain operational and capable of self-correction, operators must weigh the statistical probability of collision against the certainty of consuming a non-renewable resource. This trade-off requires careful modeling to ensure the maneuver performed today does not result in a fatal lack of maneuverability later in the mission.

What crucial resource usage necessitates a cost-benefit analysis before executing a Collision Avoidance Maneuver (CAM)?

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