How the U.S. Accidentally Nuked Its Own Communications Satellite

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - 12:20 in Astronomy & Space

Fifty years ago, a small spherical satellite weighing about 170 lbs. (77 kg) was launched from Cape Canaveral.  Its name was Telstar 1, and it was the first commercial communications satellite--the first in a long line of telecommunications satellites that have led to the digitally connected world of today, where television programs from one country are easily accessible at locations across the globe. [More]

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