Modern Earth-orbiting satellites are sophisticated machines that have transformed all aspects of human civilization. This work examines the evolution of these spacecrafts, and helps students and teachers discover what Earth-orbiting spacecraft are, where they came from, how they work, and why they are so important.

Modern Earth-orbiting satellites are sophisticated machines that have transformed all aspects of human civilization from communications and navigation to defense, to global monitoring and intelligent stewardship of our planet. ""Satellites"" examines the evolution of these spacecrafts from the speculative writings of visionaries in the 19th century to the incredibly sophisticated platforms that have transformed every aspect of modern life. Using space technology to convey fundamental principles of mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science, ""Satellites"" has been carefully crafted to help students and teachers discover what Earth-orbiting spacecraft are, where they came from, how they work, and why they are so important. This approach will help students and teachers better appreciate science and engineering in a global context. Chapters include: From Sputnik 1 to Aura; How a Satellite Works; Satellites Come in All Shapes and Sizes; Military Satellites; Weather Satellites; Communication Satellites; Navigation Satellites; Satellites as Scientific Observatories; Fundamentals of Remote Sensing; Earth-Observing Spacecraft; and Earth System Science and Global Change.