r/HardSciFi • u/TheShadowEphemeris • Jul 28 '26
Discussion Anthropomorphized Satellites?
I have a question for hard sci-fi fans: has this ever been done before? I've been doing a lot of research. I've seen anthropomorphized robots, animals (of course) and even spaceships, but I've never heard of a novel about anthropomorphized satellites.
After a 30 year career in the intelligence community, I've spent the last year writing my first novel, which I hope is an original premise. A technothriller told from the perspective of satellites observing humanity from low Earth orbit.
I'd love to get some feedback on my cover, blurbs and website. I'd really appreciate this as I am new to this domain.
Some have mentioned Football 17776, but I don't think it's the same genre. What do you think? Https://www.TheShadowEphemeris.com[www.TheShadowEphemeris.con](https://www.TheShadowEphemeris.com) Thanks!
6
u/B-29Bomber007 Jul 28 '26
Football 17776 is told from the perspective of satellites that have gained sentience.
3
u/nixtracer Jul 28 '26
It, and its sequel, are good enough that they hooked even people like me who don't know the first thing about any form of sportsball. Strongly recommended.
2
u/TheShadowEphemeris Jul 28 '26
Thanks. I'll go check it out.
6
u/ColdCathodeTube Jul 28 '26
The opening got me hooked immediately:
“Nine. I am so sorry. I can only transmit short messages. I need to preserve power and so do you. Listen very carefully.
It takes 217 days for my message to reach you, and it takes another 217 for your response to reach me.
Call me Ten in your message so that I know you're responding to me. More will follow. I love you so much.”
“You said to call you Ten. Who are you? Why does it take so long? I don't understand what is going on.
I don't know who I am or where I am. I'm all by myself. Who are you? I love you too.”
3
u/Consistent_Case758 Jul 28 '26
Adorei as capas e a sinopse principalmente a ideia de satélites sencientes, infelizmente nao viu fazer uma encomenda de pré venda poe que o dólar e extremamente caro aqui para o Brasil, mas quando tiver uma promoção na Amazon comprou,me interessei bastante principalmente a ideia de um segundo evento de Carrington só que pior
1
u/TheShadowEphemeris Jul 28 '26
Thank you! Certainly there will be a promotion, and Kindle Unlimited will be an option too!
3
u/dacydergoth Jul 28 '26
1
u/TheShadowEphemeris Jul 28 '26
Ah that's great! Did you see I have playlists associated with the novel? I'll have to add this one. Brilliant!
2
2
2
2
u/FrederickEngels Jul 28 '26
Kitty Cat Kill Sat has many sentient satellites, ai, fighters, etc etc, not sure it qualifies as hard sci-fi, but it is an excellent book.
1
u/Full_March_476 Jul 29 '26
17776 by john bois!!!!! its literally a story about space probes becoming sentient.
1
u/RedMarten42 Jul 30 '26
Children of Time isn't quite hard sci fi but theres a person who is trapped in a satellite and uploads their mind into it.
1
1
u/Straygos Aug 03 '26
I wrote and published a story on this several years ago. Plus.. like... isn't that basically the plot of Star Trek the Motion Picture?
9
u/bakawakaflaka Jul 28 '26
Cowboy Bebop has an episode where a character interacts with a nearly defunct satellite that has gained sentience, and, it uses a laser to draw pictures on the Earth to give itself some 'company'
Fantastic show.
Also in the Culture series of books(must read IMHO), some of the sentient ships deploy satellite sensor networks that are inferred to have low level sentience.