Thinning thermosphere gives satellites a boost (Nov 28)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/10/11/23
Carbon dioxide released through the burning of fossil fuels is cooling
the upper atmosphere, says a group of physicists who believe that a
coherent pattern of global climate change in Earth's upper
atmosphere is emerging after more than 15 years of study and debate.
Falling temperatures are also lowering the density of the upper
atmosphere and causing it to contract towards Earth. This is good news
for low-Earth-orbit satellites like the International Space Station,
which are remaining in their orbits for longer because of reduced
atmospheric drag (Science 314 1253).
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