Why we need artificial satellites

Getting directions, watching television, monitoring the weather, conducting scientific research—our lives have been fundamentally changed by thousands of satellites in orbit around Earth.

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1:6 scale model of the Landsat 5 satellite against a black background

Seeing Earth from space: Flip-books to Google Earth

Satellite photography is a dramatic example of how computer graphics and remote imaging have changed the way we view our planet.

Telstar, Intelsat and the first global satellite broadcast

Discover the story of the technology that makes global live broadcasting possible.

Map of the Arabian gulf, with vignettes of inhabitants in native costume, 1714, detail

GPS navigation: from the Gulf War to civvy street

How did the use of satellite navigation affect recent conflicts, as well as civilian life?

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Find out how the Eurostar 3000 communication satellite was installed at the Science Museum.

Explore objects from our collection

Space technology

Collection Online

Explore examples of the technology needed to explore space, from satellites and spacecraft to astronauts' space suits and more.

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Collection Online

Astronomy

Collection Online

Why we need artificial satellites

Read more...

Seeing Earth from space: Flip-books to Google Earth

Telstar, Intelsat and the first global satellite broadcast

GPS navigation: from the Gulf War to civvy street

Watch...

Explore objects from our collection

Space technology

Navigation

Astronomy

Part of the Science Museum Group