[meteorite-list] Why did they not use the leftover propellant to heighten the orbit and push the rogue satellite into space?

From: jim_brady611 at o2.co.uk <jim_brady611_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:21:32 +0100 (BST)
Message-ID: <24355138.39671315837292473.JavaMail.defaultUser_at_defaultHost>

from Rons original posting

"...When NASA
decommissioned the 12,500-pound satellite in 2005, controllers used
leftover propellant to lower its orbit from 340 miles to expedite its
re-entry. "

Surely if they are already in orbit it would only take a tiny amount
of fuel to push it completely out of orbit?


can someone enlighten me please? The only thing I can guess is that it
would endanger other satellites or possibly the ISS if they had
propelled it away instead of towards the Earth.

2424
Received on Mon 12 Sep 2011 10:21:32 AM PDT