Psychocumbandit t1_ja1kkra wrote on February 26, 2023 at 3:47 AM

As the satellites are following roughly circular orbits, would not any time dilation be averaged out to nothing over time, instead of incrementing a larger positive/negative value? If a satellite, over the course of it's orbit, has a segment where it's moving away from an earth based observer at a fast enough speed to incur relatavistic effects, would not that effect be zeroed out by a corresponding segment of the orbit when it is moving back towards the earth based observer at the same relatavistic speed? What part of orbital mechanics/relativity even allows for the incrementing of a positive/negative time value for a circular orbit?

2xOPisANidiot t1_ja2hji7 wrote on February 26, 2023 at 10:06 AM

>would not that effect be zeroed out by a corresponding segment of the orbit when it is moving back towards the earth based observer at the same relatavistic speed?

Direction is irrelevant for time dilation. High speeds always means slower time, never faster.

[deleted] t1_ja1pq7o wrote on February 26, 2023 at 4:34 AM

[removed]

macisaint t1_ja1t8g2 wrote on February 26, 2023 at 5:08 AM

There are two relativistic effects that have opposite signs. Time dilation due to movement, and dilation due to being in a gravity well. The gravity well effect dominates.