[AdammadA]

I wonder if they could have an orbit high enough to move away from earth with some kind of drag cables dangling from them into low orbit to counter the outward movement. Would that work?

[lovecg]

These orbits have vastly different speeds though. Consider a high geosynchronous orbit vs. something like ISS which goes around the Earth in an hour or two.

[AdammadA]

but you are towing the cable and you'd only get so far down for the counteraction of force from gravity to pull on the cable. Would speed or friction on a cable be a problem.

[dotnet00]

You mean something like a skyhook?

[AdammadA]

Yes but no hook or anchor needed I'd assume. The cable alone in lower orbit would weigh enough to be pulled by gravity.