What phenomenon persists for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites operating well above the 100 km Kármán line?
Answer
Residual atmospheric drag causing orbits to decay slowly
Even when satellites are operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), typically between 300 and 2,000 kilometers altitude, they are still subject to faint but persistent atmospheric resistance. This residual interaction, known as atmospheric or orbital drag, means that objects generally considered to be deep in space still interact with a sparse layer of the atmosphere extending beyond the 100 km line. This drag necessitates periodic maneuvering or causes orbits to decay gradually over time, demonstrating that the atmosphere tapers off rather than stopping abruptly at the conceptual boundary.
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