Down to Earth: Satellite Technologies, Industries, and Cultures (New Directions in International Studies)

__Down to Earth__ presents the first comprehensive overview of the geopolitical maneuvers, financial investments, technological innovations, and ideological struggles that take place behind the scenes of the satellite industry. Satellite projects that have not received extensive coverage—microsatellites in China, WorldSpace in South Africa, SiriusXM, the failures of USA 193 and Cosmos 954, and Iridium—are explored. This collection takes readers on a voyage through a truly global industry, from the sites where satellites are launched to the corporate clean rooms where they are designed, and along the orbits and paths that satellites traverse. Combining a practical introduction to the mechanics of the satellite industry, a history of how its practices and technologies have evolved, and a sophisticated theoretical analysis of satellite cultures, __Down to Earth__ opens up a new space for global media studies. El libro presenta un panorama de las maniobras geopolíticas, las inversiones financieras, las innovaciones tecnológicas y las luchas ideológicas que tienen lugar en el ámbito de la industria de las comunicaciones vía satélite. Se analizan proyectos de satélites sin gran cobertura –microsatélites en China, el Worldspace en Sudáfrica, Sitius XM, los fallidos USA 193 y Cosmos 954, el Iridium. Todos ellos conducen a un recorrido por una industria global, que va de los lugares desde los que son lanzados los satélites y las salas blancas en las que son diseñados, hasta las órbitas y caminos que atraviesan los satélites Edited By Lisa Parks And James Schwoch. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web.