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keepit
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IN a relatively circular Earth orbit, how far away from Earth would you have to be in order to avoid collisions?
keepit said:sorry, man made objects
The optimal distance for collision-free Earth orbit is known as the geostationary orbit, which is approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the Earth's equator.
The geostationary orbit was determined through a combination of mathematical calculations and observations of orbital dynamics. It was first calculated by the Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in the late 19th century and later confirmed by experiments in the mid-20th century.
The geostationary orbit has several benefits, including providing a stable platform for communication and observation satellites, as well as reducing the risk of collisions with other objects in orbit.
Yes, the geostationary orbit can change over time due to various factors such as atmospheric drag and gravitational interactions with other objects in space. However, these changes are typically small and can be corrected through orbital maneuvers.
One potential limitation is that the geostationary orbit is only suitable for objects that need to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, such as communication and observation satellites. It is not suitable for spacecraft that need to travel to other planets or explore deep space.