Graveyard orbit

A disposal orbit that moves defunct spacecraft away from operational regions. For retired geostationary satellites, it is typically a higher orbit above the geostationary ring.

Geostationary orbit: A circular orbit above Earth’s equator in which a satellite’s orbital period matches Earth’s rotation, keeping it over one longitude. The crowded operational region that a graveyard orbit is designed to clear.
Space debris mitigation: Policies and engineering practices intended to limit the creation and harmful effects of human-made objects in space. Graveyard orbits are one end-of-mission disposal measure within broader debris mitigation.
Atmospheric reentry: The passage of an object from space into a planet’s atmosphere, where drag and heating slow and often destroy it. Unlike a graveyard orbit, reentry removes a spacecraft from orbit rather than preserving it in space.
Geostationary satellite belt: The region around Earth’s equator occupied by geostationary satellites and other objects at similar altitudes. Moving retired satellites beyond this belt helps preserve its operational environment.
Orbital maneuver: A deliberate change to a spacecraft’s orbit produced by propulsion or another applied force. A disposal burn raises a satellite from geostationary orbit into its graveyard orbit.
Geostationary satellite: A satellite in geostationary orbit that appears nearly fixed above one point on Earth. These satellites are the main spacecraft relocated to higher graveyard orbits.
Controlled reentry: A planned atmospheric reentry that directs a spacecraft toward a selected, low-risk impact region. Low-orbit spacecraft may be disposed of by targeted reentry instead of transfer to a graveyard orbit.
Space situational awareness: The detection, tracking, and characterization of objects and activities in space. Tracking remains necessary because graveyard-orbit objects can threaten nearby spacecraft.
Rocket engine: A device that produces thrust by expelling propellant or another reaction mass. A spacecraft uses its remaining propulsion to perform the end-of-life disposal maneuver.
Satellite end-of-life disposal: The planned removal or passivation of a satellite after its mission ends. Moving a retired spacecraft to a graveyard orbit is one disposal strategy.

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Space debrisCompared with: A retired satellite remains debris even when moved into a disposal orbit.