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To: Meet the New Boss
It depends on exactly what the satellite is being used for. Some satellites, such as for GPS, depend on their motion in very precise orbits for their utility.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)

LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

11 posted on 03/24/2014 10:48:03 AM PDT by LonePalm (Commander and Chef)
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To: LonePalm

Even GPS satellites aren’t in precise orbits. Their paths are perturbed by gravitational effects (the Sun, moon and mass anomalies of Earth itself) as well as atmospheric drag. Their positions are monitored on every orbit and adjustments are made to the ephemeris (which are loaded into all GPS receivers). In addition, thrusters are used to correct larger drifts from idea position.


31 posted on 03/24/2014 11:08:50 AM PDT by Procyon (Decentralize, degovernmentalize, deregulate, demonopolize, decredentialize, disentitle.)
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