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Robert
Lv 4
Robert asked in Science & MathematicsAstronomy & Space · 5 years ago

Is it possible to use the kinetic energy of orbiting satellites to produce electricity?

Since outer space has no friction the satellites keep orbiting and keep producing energy.

2 Answers

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  • Myles
    Lv 6
    5 years ago

    But they don't produce energy. They have kinetic energy that is slowly decreasing due to friction (yes there is resistance out there, it's just very low). If you remove more of that energy, then the decrease will be greater and the satellite will fall to earth much sooner.

  • campbelp2002
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    Any energy produced by the satellite's motion through the Earth's magnetic field would result in a kind of "magnetic drag" that would slow the satellite and make it's orbit spiral down.

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