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Satellite Communication History
When looking at the potential for satellite communications, it's important to understand where it all began. The application of satellite technology was first realized back in 1948 when the U.S Army Signal Corps proved that low powered microwave signals could be sent out into space and then bounced back to earth. This realization was the basis for the application of satellites. Nine years later on October 4th, 1957, the then Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first manmade artificial satellite. The launching of Sputnik came during the height of the Cold War, when relations between the USSR and the U.S.A were at their most fragile, signaling the start of the "space race."
It was thought that a Soviet satellite would be capable of spying on the United States, so the United States responded through the launching of their own satellite on January 31st, 1958, named Explorer 1. Following the launching of Explorer 1 in 1958, the United States formed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) through which its space program would be run. That same year, NASA launched a communication vessel known as SCORE. The purpose of SCORE was to tape messages that were transmitted from earth at 150 MHz, and then send them back to earth. SCORE was introduced to the American people on December 19th, 1958 through a Christmas greeting from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was the first satellite broadcast from space to earth, signaling the start of a new era in communication technologies. |
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The early sixties saw a continuation of the evolution of satellite technology. In April of 1960, NASA launched Tiros I, the world's first weather satellite. The application of the weather satellite demonstrated that satellite communication was not only important for worldwide business, but was also important for the monitoring of life from a vantage point from which the world had never been seen by mankind. By 1962, an American company named ATT had developed and launched Telstar 1, the first satellite capable of broadcasting T.V signals. Telstar 1 was capable of linking North America with Europe, and did so on July 10th, 1962 with the live bi-continental airing of an Elvis Presley show. The satellite technological progress continued at a rapid pace, and by 1965, Intelsat 1, (Early Bird) was launched by the U.S. Intelsat 1 was the 1st satellite that could truly be referred to as a global commercial satellite service. Four years later, Intelsat put the finishing touches on what was to be the first global geo network. The rest is history. |
FYI…Although it is almost impossible to estimate, it has been said that there are as many as 8,000 (+) artificial objects orbiting the earth, most of which are satellites. In addition to these 8,000 (+) active objects, there are also 15,000 (+) objects that are said to be in state of decay.
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