Essay Archive - Satellites
Satellites
Satellites orbit the earth doing our bidding in ways that enrich the lives
of almost all of us. Through electronic eyes from hundreds of miles
overhead, they lead prospectors to mineral deposits invisble on earth's
surface. Relaying communications at the speed of light, they shrink the
planet until its most distant people are only a split second apart. They
beam world weather to our living room TV and guide ships through storms.
Swooping low over areas of possible hostility, spies in the sky maintain a
surveillance that helps keep peace in a volatile world.
How many objects, exaclty, are orbiting out there? Today's count is 4,914.
The satell....
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