HOW DO SATELLITES STAY IN SPACE?

An out-of-this-world exploration of how satellites work.

Logically, the book begins with a definition of a satellite, and although there is a glossary, other important science words are clearly explained in context or with relatable comparisons, such as referring to a rocket with payloads as a bus with passengers. Taylor uses a question-and-answer format, and though some pages are packed with information, they’re made more accessible by humorous text (“How do satellites get into space? Do scientists use a giant slingshot to launch them into the sky?”) and playful cartoons that include speech-bubble comments by spacewalking astronauts, satellites, and a flamingo floatie in space and plenty of interesting diagrams and fun factoid inserts. The text concludes with a section on relevant STEM careers and photos of scientists at work. Variations in format and color—the deep blues of the sky and space are replaced with a more neutral palette for scenes set in a lab and at testing sites—make page turns a treat. Although humor also leads to unrealistic illustrations of workers repairing satellites in space without protective clothing and clean-room suits, also called bunny suits, shown with rabbit ears, this is a solid introduction to satellites. People depicted in both the photographs and the illustrations are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A friendly, enlightening text for future scientists or anyone curious about space.