ultra low orbit spacecraft

An ultra low orbit spacecraft is a satellite or spacecraft designed to operate at extremely low altitudes above Earth—typically below about 300 kilometers, and sometimes as low as 150–200 kilometers. At these altitudes, atmospheric drag is significant, so such spacecraft require specialized materials, shapes, and often propulsion systems to maintain orbit. Ultra low orbits allow for very high-resolution Earth observation and reduced communication latency, but they involve short orbital lifetimes unless active drag compensation is used.