Satellites

[strabismus]

The radius of a satellite's orbit is inversely proportional to its velocity. If a satellite is slowed by drag and its velocity not corrected by thrusters, why does its orbital radius not increase?

[TheChair]

The key word is "inversely"

[Old_Geezer]

Seems other factors will change.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_speed

[ToraToraTora]

because it is in freefall in a gravity well, any slowing will send it spiralling down.

[mibn2cweus]

A certain orbital velocity is essential to equally compensate for the acceleration of gravity at any given orbital radius. Absent the force necessary to acquire a higher orbit the reduced orbital velocity of the satellite can no longer compensate for the pull of gravity at that altitude. Gravity is inversely proportional to distance squared.