Expert: Paul Soderman - 3/22/2001

Question
Hi Paul,

With the Mir satellite hurtling to earth, I'm wondering why we didn't decide to send it out into deep space or into the gravitational pull of another planet instead of risking having it damage earth. Is it because the engines aren't powerful enough?

Thanks,
Stephen

Answer
Yes, exactly.  space stations only have enough thrust to maneuver and slightly increase their orbit after losing altitude to atmospheric drag.  Even that is a continual expense that the Russians must have felt was too high.  In any case, to leave the earth's orbit would take much more power than what is available to them.