Here's why:
* The exosphere is too thin: The exosphere is the outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, characterized by extremely low density. There is very little atmospheric drag at this altitude, making it difficult for satellites to maintain a stable orbit.
* The thermosphere is ideal for orbiting: The thermosphere is a layer of atmosphere above the mesosphere. While still very thin, it provides a small amount of atmospheric drag, which helps to slow down satellites over time. This allows satellites to maintain their orbits with minimal adjustments.
* LEO allows for communication and observation: Satellites in LEO are closer to Earth, facilitating communication and observation. This is important for applications like GPS, weather forecasting, and Earth observation.
While some satellites are launched into higher orbits, like geostationary orbit (GEO) within the thermosphere, most satellites are found in LEO within the thermosphere.
