Due to the non-spherical shape of Earth, one more
effect called as the “Satellite Graveyard” is seen. The non-spherical shape
leads to the small value of eccentricity (10-5) at the equatorial
plane. This causes a gravity gradient on GEO satellite and makes them drift to
one of the two stable points which coincide with minor axis of the equatorial
ellipse.
Working satellites are made to drift back to their position but out-of-service
satellites are eventually drifted to these points, and making that point a
Satellite Graveyard.
(Note: A graveyard orbit, also called a supersynchronous orbit, junk
orbit or disposal orbit, is an orbit significantly above GEO where satellites
are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. It is a measure
performed in order to lower the probability of collisions with operational
spacecraft and of the generation of additional space debris. The points where
the graveyard is made are separated by 1800 on the equator and are set
approximately on 750 E longitude and 1050 W longitude.)
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