
The ISS and the Hubble Space Telescope are some of the space vehicles that now utilize a "low Earth orbit" (LOE).
Objects orbiting in LOE can last a very long time. However, as a direct result of various factors, mostly due to friction created (most of the time referred to as drag), there is a requirement to periodically boost the artificial satellite to a higher orbit if the life of the project is to be extended. Otherwise, the item will eventually fall back to Earth. Unfortunately, all other man made objects tended to accumulate in LOE that "Space Junk" is now become a serious problem when considering manned flights.
I don't believe the musical group the Rolling Stones were thinking about floating space objects when they performed the opening lines to "mother's little helper".
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