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First actual communications satellite made:
The first communications satellite made was project SCORE. This satellite carried messages on a tape recorder, and transmitted them with an antenna. This satellite was a significant advancement in the world of communications because it would prove the feasibility of a new and more reliable and economically friendier way of providing links between places
Info:
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1958-006A
Photo
http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/score.htm -
Reflecting signals: Echo 1
1 was a space-balloon made by NASA; it reflected signals sent from the Earth to another place. This was an advancement because it showed how networks between 2 places was possible without cables or physically carrying messages. It was improvement to project SCORE because it eliminated the need for a cassette tape, which could be easily damaged, to be included on the satellite.
Info: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/about/project-echo.html
Photo: http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4308/ch6.htm -
Major redesign: AT&T's Telstar 1
Telstar 1 had been a major advancement in communications satellites because it actively & directly relayed messages. This meant that it received signals, amplified them, and sent them. This was significant in communication between humans because it allowed for more complex types of communications, like television services.
Info: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Telstar-communications-satellite
Picture: http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/dev/hillger/communications.htm -
Syncom 2: A better position
This was the first satellite with a geostationary orbit (satellite speed= Earth's rotational speed), which would allow for certain areas to constantly have same strength signal. This was significant because it would allow for people to easily receive signals from the satellite, without having to rotate their satellite dish.
Info:https://www.britannica.com/topic/Syncom-2
Picture:http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/HIS135/Events/Sputnik57/chronology.html -
Syncom 3: An even better position
First satellite with geostationary orbit (satellite orbital period=rate of rotation of Earth) , which would allow for certain areas to constantly have same strength signal. This was significant because it would allow areas to receive the same signal strength throughout the entire year, requiring less work and resulting in more efficiency.
Info: http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1964-047A -
Ability for Secrecy: Molniya
The satellite provided secrecy, something especially useful to militaries. This ability was due to its highly elliptical orbit. This was significant to people because militaries needed a communications satellite, which would be the safest way for communications to take place.
Info: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Molniya
Picture: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Molniya
