What distinguishes a controlled deorbit burn from an uncontrolled satellite failure regarding disposal location?
Answer
Controlled burns direct reentry to a remote area, while failure disperses fragments chaotically across latitudes
A controlled deorbit uses remaining propulsion to aim the descent toward a remote area, such as the South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area (SPOUA). Conversely, an uncontrolled breakup disperses fragments across many degrees of longitude and latitude, creating a chaotic spatial distribution.
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