[meteorite-list] Why did they not use the leftover propellant to heighten the orbit and push the rogue satellite into space?

[jim_brady611 at o2.co.uk]

from Rons original posting 

"...When NASA 
decommissioned the 12,500-pound satellite in 2005, controllers used 
leftover propellant to lower its orbit from 340 miles to expedite its 
re-entry. "

Surely if they are already in orbit it would only take a tiny amount 
of fuel to push it completely out of orbit?


can someone enlighten me please? The only thing I can guess is that it 
would endanger other satellites or possibly the ISS if they had 
propelled it away instead of towards the Earth.

2424