This is a fascinating story, not only of satellites themselves but the historical and political context of their birth and development. Through political and other technical developments and drawing on the author's knowledge through personal contacts, we can appreciate how space has come to transform life as we know it today. While great to keep track of the facts and ... Read morewell-explained technology, this is a good read for anyone interested in our use of space.
Helen Sharman OBE, first British Astronaut Today, satellites are the ultimate example of form following function. A bewildering array exists, but Millard proves a good guide to the various designs and orbits they inhabit. The author has worked at the Science Museum for half the Space Age, his work creating exhibits giving him personal insight into key figures. This well-illustrated book is at its best when he shares such memories, helping personalize an era that, Millard argues, has barely begun.
BBC Sky at Night Magazine In this nicely produced book, author Millard uses his expertise to summarize the development of spacecraft. The book covers many different aspects of satellites, including their basic design requirements. . . . Highly recommended as an introduction to satellites in all their various guises.
Observatory Magazine Innovations resulting from the use of artificial satellites are a common aspect of everyday life; they are used for communications, television broadcasts, weather forecasting, and global positioning systems (GPS). This book explores the cultural, political, and scientific history of satellites that orbit the Earth and beyond. . . . The work includes many beautiful halftone and color photographs, as well as a time line of satellite history. While the book may be somewhat limited in its approach, space enthusiasts will enjoy it. Recommended.
Choice Illustrated with engaging color photographs. . . . Millard does a good job in showing the merit of satellites for cosmic observation and how they are deployed around other planets. The reader comes away from Satellite with an appreciation of how this technology is as much a part of our 'infrastructure' as more earthly engineering creations. Indeed, satellites are so useful and ubiquitous that their number is creating a potential pollution problem in space.
Isis The strengths of Satellite are the clear, accessible exposition of the history, and the rich, well-selected, and numerous illustrations that have been reproduced beautifully (a hallmark of the publisher, Reaktion Books).
Metascience Satellite provides a highly readable account of how we have come to depend on machines in space for many everyday purposes such as weather forecasting, positioning and TV broadcasts as well as for exploring the universe. Doug Millard traces the story from the time of Newton up to the present day laced with anecdotes and wonderful images that make it a treat to read.
Pat Norris, author of Spies in the Sky Show Less