Lagrangian points are the “flat” places in space where the pulling and pushing forces are in balance. The orbiting object constantly pushes away from one body, held back by gravity, while the pulling of a second body keeps the object in the same place relative to the two large bodies. (Paul A. Tipler, Elementary Modern Physics, Chapter 9: Astrophysics and Cosmology)
It really wasn’t that long ago when the two greatest superpowers were vying to put satellites into space. Now, 50 nations have their own satellites in low Earth orbit. If you’re a Thailand, say, you can call Space Systems/Loral, a Canadian-owned company based in Palo Alto, California, and tell them you want to put a satellite into geostationary orbit for television broadcasting or military communications. You can have the thing in orbit 25,000 miles above Earth within two years.
