what happens to the pieces if a satellite brecks apart?

Question

why dont the satellites run into each other?

Answer 1

Satellites don't run into each other because they are small and far apart. And there is a kind of orbital traffic control, where people launching a new satellite take into account all the other ones up there and they pick an orbit that won't interfere.

If one breaks up, like the recent Chinese satellite that was blown up on purpose, each piece stays in orbit and is a collision hazard.

Answer 2

For a geosynchronous satelite, the speed the satelite moves matches the rotation of the earth. So for an observer from the earth a satellite would actually appear stationary. It will not approach other neighbouring satelites.

Other satelite orbits are carefully planned to ensure that there will be no collisions. They will also have postioning systems to allow it to maintain its position and orientation should minor adjustments be necessary.

While there are many satelites in orbit around the earth there is still a large amount of space between them. Collisions are extremely unlikely wthout some outside interference. It is called "space" for a reason.

If a satelite were to explode (break apart) the remaining parts will still remain in orbit for a long periods of time. The pieces will eventually fall to earth as there is still some minimal atmosphereic drag that will reduce the velocity of the pieces to below the speed to maintain orbit. But this could take a very long time

Answer 3

They burn up on re-entry. To your second question because they can`t.