Space Regulatory Glossary Orbital Mechanics

deorbit

/diːˈɔːrbɪt/ noun, verb

1. The deliberate removal of a spacecraft from its operational orbit, typically through controlled reentry into Earth's atmosphere or transfer to a disposal orbit.
2. A maneuver executed at end of mission to comply with post-mission disposal requirements. The FCC's 2022 rule change (effective 2024) shortened the required disposal timeframe from 25 years to 5 years.

Read: The FCC 5-Year Deorbit Rule

Related terms

Five-Year Rule An FCC rule adopted in September 2022 (effective September 2024) requiring satellite operators in low Earth orbit to… orbital debris Non-functional human-made objects in Earth orbit, including defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, fragmentation… LEO Low Earth orbit. An orbit around Earth at altitudes between approximately 160 km and 2,000 km. graveyard orbit A disposal orbit approximately 300 km above the geostationary arc (roughly 36,100 km altitude) where GEO satellites are…

Mentioned in The Downlink

• The FCC 5-Year Deorbit Rule Explained

  The FCC cut satellite disposal timelines from 25 years to 5. Who it applies to, how operators comply, and what happens if they don't.

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