// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
De-Orbit
The process of intentionally bringing a satellite or spacecraft out of orbit and back into the Earth's atmosphere, usually for disposal or controlled re-entry.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
De-orbit is the controlled maneuver to lower a spacecraft's altitude and reduce its orbital velocity, causing it to re-enter a celestial body's atmosphere for disposal, controlled impact, or atmospheric burn-up.
BACKGROUND
Bigelow Aerospace was an American space design and manufacturing company which ceased operations in 2020. It was an aeronautics and outer space technology company which manufactured and developed expandable space station modules. Bigelow Aerospace was founded by Robert Bigelow in 1998, and was based in North Las Vegas, Nevada. It was funded in large part by the profit Bigelow gained through his ownership of the hotel chain Budget Suites of America.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Re-entry
- Orbital decay
- Atmospheric re-entry
- Disposal burn
USAGE NOTE
De-orbiting is a crucial end-of-life procedure for satellites to mitigate space debris.