Launched on July 10, 1962, Telstar 1

Key Accomplishment(s)

First Active Communications Satellite

Brief Description

Telstar, launched in 1962, was the first active communications satellite: it received microwave signals from ground stations and retransmitted them across vast distances back to Earth. It was the model for all subsequent communications satellites.

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed-Communications

Manufacturer

AT&T

Dimensions

Overall (Satellite with red antenna cover): 86.4 × 111.8cm, 86.9kg (2 ft. 10 in. × 3 ft. 8 in., 191.5lb.)
Overall (Crate base): 111.8 × 111.8 × 55cm (3 ft. 8 in. × 3 ft. 8 in. × 1 ft. 9 5/8 in.)
3-D (Cylindrical base mounting - diameter of center cylinder): 23.7cm (9 5/16 in.)
3-D (Cylindrical base mounting - diameter of outer collar): 26.7cm (10 1/2 in.)
3-D (Cylindrical base mounting - L-shaped projection): 1.9cm (3/4 in.)

Materials

HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating, Magnesium
Satellite: Aluminum alloy, ferrous alloy, glass, silicon, magnesium alloy, nylon, paint, copper alloy, gold plating, silver plating, laminated labels, nickel-cadmium battery, polyethylene, and zinc chromate
Base: Rubber, wood, ferrous alloy, plastic, aluminum alloy, and cadmium plating

Alternate Name

Telstar

Inventory Number

A20070113000

Credit Line

Transferred from National Museum of American History

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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