|
|
Communication
Satellite
|
DATE LAUNCHED |
NATION |
NAME |
ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
|
Dec. 18, 1958 |
US |
Project Scor |
Broadcast first voice messages from
space |
|
Aug. 12, 1960 |
US |
Echo 1 |
Signals beamed off orbiting balloon.
|
|
Jul. 10, 1962 |
US |
Telstar |
First satellite to relay television
programmes between the United States and Europe. |
|
Jul. 26, 1963 |
US |
Syncom 2 |
First synchronous satellite. |
|
Apr. 6, 1965 |
US |
Early Bird |
First commercial communications satellite. |
|
Apr. 23, 1965 |
USSR |
Molniya |
USSR initiates its communication satellite system. |
|
Jan. 26, 1971 |
US |
Intelsat 4 |
Introduction of high-capacity international
communications system. |
|
May 30, 1974 |
US |
ATS-6 |
Experimental direct broadcast satellite used for
educational programmes and medical conferencing. |
|
Apr. 4, 1983 |
US |
TDRS 1 |
First Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, launched by
space shuttle Challenger. |
|
Jan. 29, 1991 |
Russia |
Informator |
Experimental programme to test role of
communications satellites in disaster relief. |
| |
