Staff Writer

October 27-November 21, 1977: The World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC 77) finalized frequency allocations for Direct Broadcasting Satellites (DBS) Click here to view this event in the SSPI Satellite Industry […]

February 19, 1976: COMSAT launched Marisat, the first Mobile Communications satellite. Marisat allowed constant ship-to-shore communications for the maritime industry. Prior to Marisat, companies would go as long as 48 […]

Before 1975, cable TV was largely a rural industry that brought remote areas better reception and more channels. Then the October 1, 1975 Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier boxing match, carried live […]

April 19, 1975: Launched by the Soviet Union from Kapustin Yar, Aryabhata was India’s first satellite, named after a ancient Indian mathematician (5th century AD). Aryabhata was built by the […]

April 13,1974: Western Union and NASA joined forces to launch Westar 1, the first commercially-launched American domestic communications satellite. Built by Hughes using the HS-333 spin-stabilized platform, Westar 1 was […]

The seminal event of the 1970’s was the””Open Skies”” ruling by the US Federal Communications Commission, which favored competition in satellite services and set a precedent that influenced government policy […]

August 21, 1971: The final treaty for the creation of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) was signed by 11 national governments, creating the predecessor organization to today’s Intelsat Click […]

June 7-July 17, 1971: The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) convened the World Administrative Radio Conference for Space Telecommunications (WARC-ST) and determined the frequency allocations for Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS) Click […]

April 24, 1970: Dong Fang Hong 1, also known as China 1, was launched aboard China’s Long March 1 rocket as part of the PRC’s Dong Fang Hong (“”The East […]

July 20, 1969: The first landing on the moon by Apollo 11 was broadcast “”live via satellite”” to a global audience over Intelsat satellites. Intelsat also provided communications support for […]

April 6, 1965: Intelsat I (nicknamed Early Bird) became the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit. Built by Hughes Aircraft for COMSAT and modeled on the […]

August 20, 1964: The Interim Agreement to form the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (later designated as Intelsat) was signed by 15 signatories from 15 countries, with 11 of these entities […]

August 19, 1964: A Hughes Aircraft team led by Dr. Harold Rosen launched Syncom 3, the first geostationary satellite. Prior to this success, Syncom 1 malfunctioned on the way to […]

July 10, 1962: The launch of Telstar 1, developed by a Bell Laboratories team led by Dr. John Pierce and funded by AT&T, marked the beginning of the commercial satellite […]

December 20, 1961: The UN General Assembly adopts resolution 1721 calling for the application of international law to space exploration and applications, and the free exploration and use of space […]

August 12, 1960: NASA launched, Echo 1, developed by a Bell Labs team led by Dr. John Pierce. The satellite consisted of a large metallized balloon that passively reflected radio […]

January 31, 1958: The US launched Explorer 1, designed by JPL and carrying instruments developed by Dr. James Van Allen, as part of the International Geophysical Year. A Geiger counter […]

November 3, 1957: The Soviet Union startled the world by launching a second satellite less than one month after Sputnik 1. Sputnik 2 carried radio and TV transmitters, telemetry, scientific […]

October 4, 1957: The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into low earth orbit, giving birth to the age of satellites and space applications Click here to […]

April 1955: Dr. John R. Pierce’s article, “”Orbital Radio Relays”” in Jet Propulsion, discussed both active and passive satellite “”repeaters”” and outlined the concept behind what would become the Echo […]

October 1945: former British Radar Establishment Officer and space guru Arthur C. Clarke published an article in Wireless World envisioning a global communications network provided by three manned space stations […]

[Satellite TODAY 03-11-03] Harmonic Inc. has expanded its sales and support presence by opening an office in Toronto, Harmonic announced march 9.    Harmonic’s customers in Canada include Bell Aliant, […]

[Satellite TODAY 10-11-10] SkyTerra has rolled out new radio software developed by Hughes that enables data capability on SkyTerra’s MSAT-G2 mobile satellite radio equipment, the company announced March 10.    […]

[Satellite TODAY 10-11-10] Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and Orbit Technology Group have completed integration for satellite communications on-the-move solutions to serve a range of industries, Gilat announced March 10.    […]

[Satellite TODAY 10-11-10] SpaceX aborted the first static fire test for its Falcon 9 rocket two seconds before its scheduled start, the company announced March 9.    The test included […]

[Satellite TODAY 10-11-10] Paradigm, a subsidiary of Astrium Services, signed a contract with the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) to extend the Skynet 5 private finance initiative (PFI) program, including […]

[Satellite TODAY 03-10-10] Modern Times Group (MTG) has appointed Laurence Miall-d’Aout chief of staff for its free-TV operations and Martin Lewerth in the newly created role of chief of staff […]

[Satellite TODAY 03-03-10] Ethan Lavan has been appointed director of Eutelsat’s In-Orbit Resources division, the satellite operator announced March 9.    Prior to joining Eutelsat, Ethan was responsible for regulatory […]

[Satellite TODAY 03-10-10] RigNet Inc. has opened a service center in Williamsport, Pa., to serve the the Marcellus Shale region and provide a higher service level to clients in the […]

[Satellite TODAY 03-10-10] GlobeCast signed a deal for an additional full transponder on the AsiaSat 5 satellite, GlobeCast announced March 9.    The increased capacity on AsiaSat 5, formerly AsiaSat […]