Orbital Decay

[ximrm]

In real life, the ISS loses about 2km in altitude per month iirc.

It would be a nice(maybe optional for hard-mode) feature to have to revisit older satellites and stations that might get in trouble soon.

Maybe forcing players to launch new satellites if it's not possible to dock because you forgot the docking port and the satellite having no thrusters.

It would also integrate a new mission type, similar to saving kerbals stranded in orbit, but instead of a deadline where nothing happens, and just ends, the deadline could indicate the final entry into the atmosphere.

The rate at which the decay happens should be slowed down of course.

Edited November 18, 2014 by ximrm

[Helix935]

already suggested but i might as well talk about it....

i could see this happen along with the implementation of an alarm system that would signal if a station or satellite was in danger of being deorbited although it wold be a chore having to go back and check on those ships constantly, especially when booking a several year journey...

just saying

[rodion]

this is on the already suggested sticky (always check it!). to see how that discussion went, see here.