What happens to LEO satellites due to the thin residual atmosphere?

Answer

They experience drag, which slightly slows them down and causes a drop in altitude

Atmospheric drag acts as resistance, reducing the satellite's speed. Since orbital maintenance depends on velocity, this loss of speed results in the satellite slowly spiraling inward towards the Earth.

What happens to LEO satellites due to the thin residual atmosphere?

#Videos

How Do Satellites Get & Stay in Orbit? - YouTube

physicsEarthorbitgravitysatellitesatellites