A Brief History of Satellite Technology

Arthur C Clarke can be identified as the first person to popularize the idea of using satellites as a means of broadcasting TV programs over the globe in his article for Wireless World in 1945; he had been working as an RAF electronics officer in the Second World War.

It was not until the launch of Sputnik 1 that the public realized space technology was going to be a part of everyday life in the twentieth century. Satellite communications systems are the only accepted commercial space technology, providing global coverage for a plethora of communications.

The Beginning of Satellite Communications Services

Sputnik 1 did more than alert the world to the fact that space was an area of exploration well within reach. It proved that the idea of bouncing radio waves off "reflectors" in space was a possibility.

By 1964 there were several satellites operating in space, just in time for the newly formed Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) to contract them for their satellite communications systems. By 1966, COMSAT had launched Early Bird into a geosynchronous (stationary) orbit and global commercial satellite communications services were here to stay.

COMSAT had been busy on the ground during these years. By 1964 there were communications earth stations established in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Japan; the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) had been established and the creation of international satellite communications systems was possible. The launch of Early Bird finally established the Global Village.

These satellite communications systems carried telephone calls and hours of television services. They continued to be developed during the 1960s; global coverage was completed just days before the live broadcast of Apollo 11's landing on the moon in July 20th, 1969. International satellite communications systems have continued to be developed and membership of INTELSAT has expanded until the present day; consequently costs have reduced phenomenally, to the point where international communications costs have become nominal.

Local Satellite Communications Systems

The 1970s saw the development of localized satellite communications systems, giving cheaper telephone calls and the advent of realistic satellite television. Movie channels and super stations became available to most of the population in America.

Although much of the technology for satellite communications systems had been devised by 1960, it was not really possible to implement it satisfactorily. Later years and further development has meant that satellites have become smaller and lighter, launch systems cheaper and more reliable, and power more readily available. Today satellites are all geosynchronous, have three-axis stabilization (they do not spin in order to stay stable), and typically have 15 foot reflector dishes as opposed to the 100 foot dishes of the 1960s. Earth stations that cost $10 million (1960 dollar) now are antennas costing $30,000 (1990 dollar). And of course we have seen the advent of direct broadcast antennas, a foot in diameter and costing a few hundred dollars. Satellite communications services have also changed. As well as telephone and television, we see the capability of transmitting data, giving a global backbone to the Internet and allowing direct broadcasts to individuals.

Today satellite communications systems are big business, and careers in the technology have proliferated. In the 1960s, only the brightest and best of the scientific research community would be involved, and they are still required for developmental work. However, today the volume demand is for technicians and engineers to be able to install and maintain the thousands of satellite communications systems and their components in business and for personal use. Training in the necessary skills is available in colleges and universities, from distance learning organizations and from technological institutions. If you are interested in a career in satellite communications, you will become a part of a developing history.