Satellites Artificiels

Written by Willy Ley in the immediate wake of the first Soviet and American launches, this illustrated youth book presents the workings of artificial satellites, their orbits, and their potential applications. Drawing on recent achievements (Sputnik I and II, Explorer I, and Vanguard) the text covers the full cycle: launch, orbital insertion, atmospheric decay, and alternative launch methods. The second half explores projected uses including maritime navigation, global meteorology, and television relay satellites. The French edition, published in the "Aventures dans l'espace" series by Éditions des deux coqs d'or, is a translation of Man-Made Satellites (1957), the first volume of the American "Adventures in Space" series.