A Final Note to the Reader
Now, having read Part II of Satellite Communications Physics, you should have an idea how we predict the orbit of an artificial satellite and how we find out where it points while passing a thousand miles above our heads. You can see how we pick the best material to cover its surface with and how we protect its solar cells from the hazards of space. And you have watched the steps we would take when our satellite stops working properly.
It would, we admit, take a little more experience to solve problems like these on your own—and to deal with all the other complications of satellite communications. But we hope our brief glimpses into the laboratory have shown what this experience might be like. Our six case histories have only scratched the surface, but they should give you a good idea of the fascinating work that goes into practical science and engineering. They should show that something like Project Telstar doesn’t succeed only because of far-sighted, imaginative thinking—nor only because of ingenious engineering. It draws upon the best of both of these.
Along the way, we hope you have noticed some important guideposts—things like Newton’s law of gravitation, the law of reflection of light, the Stefan-Boltzmann law. They typify the basic principles of physics that engineers and scientists, whatever they do, must always keep in mind. No matter how exotic or up-to-the-minute the application, the ground rules of physics must be followed. If we have convinced you of this, we have done what we set out to do!