Satellites in Outer Space: 04/29/15

Satellites in Outer Space by Isaac Asimov was written as an upper elementary introduction to satellites at a time when the man made ones were still a recent invention. It serves, though, as a straight forward introduction to what satellites are (including the moon), how orbits are used, and different uses (or potential uses) for satellites.

According to Universe Today, more than a thousand satellites have been launched since the first one in 1957. Give that large number, it's easy to understand that they have gone from being quaint pieces of modern technology to ubiquitous items of every day life. Naturally, then, Satellites in Outer Space is rather dated.

But there's a point when dated books become so dated that they actually become charming for their quaintness. This book is almost there, especially in the last couple pages where the concept of GPS is introduced. Nowadays with cell phones and navigation built into so many of our cars, GPS is becoming another ever present, taken for granted technology. It's eye opening to see it described as a cutting edge technology of the near future!

Four Stars

Comments (0)