How Low Can You Orbit? | Smartest Year Ever (Jan 13, 2025)
About this episode
What’s the lowest distance an object can orbit Earth without falling back to the surface? Gordy explores the fascinating physics of Low Earth Orbits (LEO) and the razor-thin balance between gravity, drag, and propulsion. From the record-breaking ESA GOCE satellite to Japan’s TSUBAME, this episode dives into the engineering marvels pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
Order of Contents:
Intro: What is the lowest orbit?
How orbits work and what makes them stable.
Record-breaking satellites like GOCE and TSUBAME.
The challenges of atmospheric drag below 160 km.
Why low orbits matter for weather, GPS, and communication.
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Sources:
European Space Agency (ESA). (2013). GOCE: The Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer.
Hall, J. (2017). Japan’s TSUBAME Satellite Breaks Record for Lowest Orbit. SpaceNews.
NASA. (2015). Low Earth Orbit: The Basics of Spacecraft Altitudes.
Logsdon, J. (2011). Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the U.S. Civil Space Program.
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