• realtegan@lemm.ee
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    4 days ago

    Just to be clear… you believe because the satellites are low enough that they will only last a few years, that they cannot run into each other and cause a cascading effect of debris? I mean, sure, the cascading effect (Kessler Syndrome) might only last a few years, but it still could happen, couldn’t it? Or is there something special about them that means they can’t actually accidentally run into each other and break apart, with the pieces hitting other satellites and breaking apart…?

    I’m not sure why these satellites being in low orbit protects them from the laws of physics.

    • ShepherdPie@midwest.social
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      4 days ago

      You’re talking about the Kessler Effect (cascading collisions) not Kessler Syndrome (space is unusable). I never stated that they can’t collide with one another just that they’re not capable of trapping us on earth for any significant period of time due to their low orbit.

      • realtegan@lemm.ee
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        4 days ago

        facepalm

        Right, I understand you now. You are being pedantic about the definition of Kessler Syndrome, assuming people are using it to refer to a permanent status. Gotcha.

        In short, you don’t disagree, you just aren’t using the same words to mean the same thing as everyone else, leading to confusion and conflict.

        Kessler Syndrome, even if it “only” lasts a few years, would be devastating. That is what people are worried about, and that is what could happen, even with low earth orbits. Given big enough pieces of debris, the “any significant period of time” you refer to could certainly be significant enough to cause lasting problems.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldOP
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      4 days ago

      I’m not sure why they think they know better than the multiple scientists I have given them references to.

      Oh no wait, yes I do. They refuse to look at the links.