Factual error: When the Goldeneye satellite is repositioned for targeting, the display shows a retrograde, east to west orbit. Only a couple of satellites have been sent into retrograde orbits. One use would be for a killer satellite that smashes into other satellites, not one that is hiding in plain sight until needed. A retrograde orbit is no faster than a standard orbit at the same altitude. Not only that but since a retrograde orbit is much more difficult and costly (in terms of fuel and other resources) to achieve, due to working against the Earth's spin instead of benefiting from it, very few satellites use one. This makes the addition of one in Goldeneye something that would draw extra attention from foreign powers, the exact opposite of what a country launching a super-secret satellite weapon would want. (00:35:00)
edstrass
19th Aug 2010