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Intelsat I

satellite
Also known as: Early Bird

Quick Summary

Intelsat I, also known as Early Bird, was the first operational commercial satellite, launched in 1965 into a geostationary orbit over the Atlantic Ocean. It was a pivotal development in satellite communications, enabling regular telecommunications and broadcasting services between North America and Europe.1

Intelsat I was part of a larger initiative by the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (Intelsat), founded in 1964 by 18 nations. Intelsat contracted with NASA for satellite launches, with Early Bird being the first. This satellite paved the way for subsequent Intelsat satellites covering the Pacific and Indian Oceans, contributing to a nearly global communication network. Intelsat's satellites were instrumental in broadcasting major global events and even facilitated the "Hot Line" communication link between the U.S. and Moscow.1

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. Intelsat
  2. Comsat
  3. Telstar: Top Questions

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