New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth’s Atmosphere as Fuel To Stay in Orbit Indefinitely

A satellite engine that uses atmospheric gases as fuel shows promise in laboratory tests and modeling, but its performance on a mission remains unproven. Choosing an orbit for a satellite involves balancing benefits and drawbacks. Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), which spans roughly 100 to 450 km (62 to 280 miles) above Earth, offers several [...]