Decay Time

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Decay Time

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1. In computer operations, the time required for a pulse to fall to one-tenth of its peak value. See rise time. </dd>
2. In charge-storage tubes, the time interval during which the magnitude of the stored charge decreases to a stated fraction of its initial value. </dd>
The fraction is usually 1/e where e is the base of natural logarithms. </dd>
3. Approximately the lifetime of an orbiting object in a nonstable orbit. </dd>
Decay time is usually applied only to objects with short orbit lifetimes caused by atmospheric drag. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use