Satellites for physicists

Abstract

Artificial earth satellites are really of great importance to physicists. Some of this importance is not immediately obvious and is indeed quite indirect. It seems to turn out that the satellite is a “vehicle” whereby physicists can approach the man in the street, or perhaps just the interested youngster with physics. For the satellite contains what is perhaps the fundamental element of all science: a spirit of exploration and adventure; but it is presentable at a sufficiently nontechnical level so as to make it exciting to the nonphysicist. Even if there were no other advantages to satellites, it may well be the means whereby thousands of youngsters, now space cadets, develop an interest in the physical sciences, in astronomy and in mathematics, which leads them, if properly qualified, into a scientific career. I am one who believes that the satellite has a tremendous educational aspect and that we as physicists should be prepared to use it in order to interest people in physics.