The Origins of Satellite Communications: A brief overview of the history of satellite communications.

NASA Experimental Communications Satellites: An excellent exhibit on the overall history of NASA's efforts to develop communications satellites with images and discussions of individual projects.

Project SCORE: A description of Project SCORE, America's first communications satellite.

Echo 1: A description of Echo 1, the first passive reflector satellite.

Telstar 1: A description of Telstar 1, which provided the first transatlantic television by satellite.

Relay 1: A description of Relay 1, the first communications satellite to transmit television worldwide.

Syncom 2: A description of Syncom 2, the first geosynchronous satellite.

Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS): Information on a NASA program for high risk communications satellites.

Beyond the Ionosphere: Fifty Years of Satellite Communication (SP-4217): Essays about the development of satellite communications.

Steven J. Dick, NASA Chief Historian
Steve Garber, NASA History Web Curator
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For further information email histinfo@hq.nasa.gov