They’d last as debris for about 5 years before falling. Atmospheric drag among other things causes orbital decay that cause them to eventually fall to earth without adjustments.
You’re not wrong. They’re designed to burn up completely but there have already been failures and documented cases of 2.5kg pieces hitting the ground. The FAA predicts at current trajectories we’re looking at about 1 person hit every 2 years by stray debris. And it’s only going to get worse the more they launch.
Won’t they just become space debris and remain in orbit?
They’d last as debris for about 5 years before falling. Atmospheric drag among other things causes orbital decay that cause them to eventually fall to earth without adjustments.
The unfortunate thing about debris falling from space is that it could hit you or me and we could get killed.
They’re too small and fast for that. They burn up in the atmosphere.
Larger space debris on a different trajectory can, but not LEO communication satellites.
Well there’s still chances it wouldn’t burn fast enough…
You’re not wrong. They’re designed to burn up completely but there have already been failures and documented cases of 2.5kg pieces hitting the ground. The FAA predicts at current trajectories we’re looking at about 1 person hit every 2 years by stray debris. And it’s only going to get worse the more they launch.