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Society and survival

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Watching Earth from Space

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Abstract

To fully appreciate the contribution of satellites, we must look beyond commerce and defense. A comprehensive treatment of this subject could fill a volume, for example to describe the scientific research being undertaken using satellites ’ attempting to measure the changing earth in new ways and in more detail. In this chapter, we look at two important ways in which surveillance satellites save lives ’ helping to deal with natural disasters and to conserve fresh water. As in other roles for satellites, the key is their ability to span continents, to provide objective information and to be independent of ground facilities such as electricity grids and telephone networks.

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Norris, P. (2010). Society and survival. In: Watching Earth from Space. Springer Praxis Books(). Praxis, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6938-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6938-5_5

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  • Publisher Name: Praxis, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6937-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6938-5

  • eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)

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