Can Satellites Orbit Within Earth's Atmosphere and How Close Can They Get?

[Mateo]

Hi, was just wondering if gravitational orbit be achieved inside the Earth's atmosphere. Or how close a satellite can be to the ground?

Additionally, would the Death Star have been completely covered in solar panels?

 

[SakoNova]

Which part of the atmosphere are you referring to? And no, if I'm correct, the Death Star had a fusion reactor.

 

[_PJ_]

Orbit can be falling when tangential velocity can path beyond horizon when vertical is less than escape velocity. a sufficiently såeedy satellite could orbit the Earth within the atmosphere, but friction would be a huge practical problem.

 

[Mateo]

I suppose I would like to know if something can orbit between the Mesosphere and the Exosphere without using rockets.
Didn't think of friction- that is problematic.

 

[SakoNova]

It is possible, but it's unlikely

 

[rootone]

I suppose I would like to know if something can orbit between the Mesosphere and the Exosphere without using rockets.
Didn't think of friction- that is problematic.

Aerodynamics is too.