Talk:Vanguard 2
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pictures
Any published examples of the output from the optical scanners? 147.145.40.43 21:27, 17 February 2007 (UTC)
Atmospheric drag speeds up spacecraft
Atmospheric drag does not cause spacecraft to "lag" expected positions (as stated), rather they lead, as they lose altitude and orbit faster. I do not have a reference for this specific to Vanguard 2, but the principle is universally known to astro-dynamicists and physicists. The Wikipedia articles on orbits and orbital mechanics must explain it.
On a very short time scale (much less than one orbit), the spacecraft is indeed slowed, but is immediately shifted into a slightly lower orbit, quickly causing it to speed up. As a result, it moved progressively ahead of its expected, unperturbed. orbital positions, both in angle and in distance. Wwheaton (talk) 01:40, 17 February 2016 (UTC)