Overview
- Tells the story of the single most important contribution which satellites have made to humankind in the 50 years since the launch of Sputnik 1
- Provides a different approach to the anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age to existing books
- Focuses on a little-known aspect of the Space Age, namely the military dimension
- Combines history, politics, defence studies, science, technology and human interest in a novel way
Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books (PRAXIS)
Part of the book sub series: Space Exploration (SPACEE)
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Table of contents (10 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Keywords
About this book
In Spies in the Sky Patrick Norris responds to the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the dawn of the Space Age – the launch of Sputnik 1 – with a review of the most important historical applications of space science for the benefit of the human race during that half century, focusing particularly on the prevention of nuclear war. The author addresses the oft quoted conclusion that the Moon landings and the ‘race to the Moon’ between the two superpowers were a side effect of the Cold War, by describing what he believes was the more important event – the use of satellites by military to prevent the Cold War becoming a ‘hot war’. In developing the story the author casts a spotlight on a little-known aspect of the Space Age, namely the military dimension. Today military satellites represent 25 percent of all satellites in orbit, and they are just as important now in preventing regional nuclear war as they were in preventing global Armageddon more than 30 years ago.
Reviews
From the reviews:
"The author’s aim, in this book, is to persuade readers that ‘the most crucial role’ played by satellites … . The book is illustrated with 50 black-and-white photos and has a reference section … . In one neat and readable package, this book brings together the myths and rumours, facts and factoids, of which most of us have … recollection, and places them in an historical setting. In the final analysis, the author’s take on the ‘crucial role’ of spy satellites is compelling … ." (Satellite Evolution Group, October, 2008)
Authors and Affiliations
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Spies in the Sky
Book Subtitle: Surveillance Satellites in War and Peace
Authors: Pat Norris
Series Title: Springer Praxis Books
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71673-2
Publisher: Praxis New York, NY
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Praxis 2008
Softcover ISBN: 978-0-387-71672-5Published: 04 October 2007
eBook ISBN: 978-0-387-71673-2Published: 26 November 2007
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XVII, 220
Additional Information: Jointly published with Praxis Publishing
Topics: Popular Science in Astronomy, Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics), Aerospace Technology and Astronautics, Engineering, general