Satellites set in pods sent up (8)

I believe the answer is:

sputniks

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'satellites' is the definition.
(sputnik is a kind of satellite)

'set in pods sent up' is the wordplay.
'set' becomes 'put' (synonyms).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'pods' becomes 'skins' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'sent up' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'skins' reversed gives 'sniks'.
'put' placed into 'sniks' is 'SPUTNIKS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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