Information, Communication, and Space Technology

3 Space Technology

3.1 Introduction

Space has been defined in numerous ways depending on who defines it and for what purpose. One could define space as a “boundless, three dimensional extents in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction.”¹

This chapter is divided into two sections, one discussing outer space and the other the space within reach. Outer space is any location outside Earth’s atmosphere, and that is how this chapter is organized. Human achievements in both frontiers are admirable and have made remarkable advances in both fronts.

Until the late 17th century, philosophers were resigned to the idea that the universe was driven by supernatural forces with little relationship between the behavior of objects ...