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Felaguin t1_iw0xevt wrote

Reply to comment by SuaveMofo in Climate change is extending the lifetime of space debris. A new study found that the density of the thermosphere will decrease by 30-35% at an altitude of 250 miles over the next few decades. That loss of drag would increase the lifetime of space debris in LEO by 30% compared to 2000. by clayt6

Mmm … no, that’s not how it works and you have no idea what data I have. But here’s a clue — you can actually download the element sets for the last 3 decades and look at the drag experienced at a variety of altitudes. The claim was specifically for 250 miles — 400 km — where we have a LOT of data because we tend to keep a very careful eye on objects at the same altitude as the ISS.

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