Graveyard orbit

A graveyard orbit is used when the change in velocity required to perform a de-orbit maneuver is too large.

[2] Given the economic value of the positions at geosynchronous altitude, unless premature spacecraft failure precludes it, satellites are moved to a graveyard orbit prior to decommissioning.

Another 35 kilometres (22 mi) of tolerance must be allowed for the effects of gravitational perturbations (primarily solar and lunar).

The remaining part of the equation considers the effects of the solar radiation pressure, which depends on the physical parameters of the satellite.

In order to obtain a license to provide telecommunications services in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires all geostationary satellites launched after March 18, 2002, to commit to moving to a graveyard orbit at the end of their operational lives.

[7] In 2023 DISH received the first-ever fine by the FCC for failing to de-orbit its EchoStar VII satellite according to the terms of its license.

Clickable image, highlighting medium altitude orbits around Earth , [ a ] from Low Earth to the lowest High Earth orbit ( geostationary orbit and its graveyard orbit , at one ninth of the Moon's orbital distance ), [ b ] with the Van Allen radiation belts and the Earth to scale
An example of a graveyard orbit – Earth fixed frame
Earth · Spaceway-1 · Spaceway-2 · Spaceway-3