Telstar 1 was launched on July 10, 1962, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Delta Rocket. It remained operational in space until November 1962, when its components failed due to radiation. The stated purpose to Telstar 1 was to "test broadband microwave communications in space" and "study [the] effects of radiation and micrometeorites on [the] satellite." - New York Times, 11 July 1962
"A Thor/Delta 316 launches with the Telstar 1 satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 17B, July 10, 1962." - NASA
"Mounting Telstar Satellite to the Thor-Delta rocked 1962" - Nokia Bell Labs and AT&T Archives
Telstar's orbit of Earth took 2.5 hours, but it was only in position to relay information between the U.S. and Europe for about 20 minutes before it lost contact.
The first transatlantic signal was sent from the Andover Earth Station, Maine, United States, to the Pleumeur-Bodou Telecom Center, Brittany, France.
Across the country, and across the world, engineers and civilians alike celebrated the successful transmission.
"I was in Maine in this ground station in Andover, Maine, and when Telstar came over and was turned on and when recognized that it was working, the director of the Telstar program had thumbs up and everybody in the place just set outa whoop that, wow, it works." ~ Dr. Walter Brown, engineer on Telstar 1
"'This is Fred Kappel talking'... calling from the earth station, Andover, Maine. The call is being relayed from our Telstar satellite as I'm sure you know. How do you hear me? " ~ Fred Kappel, Chairman of AT&T 1961-1972
"The three major TV networks in this country broke into their evening programs to cary major portions of the initial satellite telecast." ~ Richard Witkin, NYT
"The first pictures to cross the ocean were of Vice President Johnson and other officials gathered in the Carnegie Institutde auditorium in Washington."
~ Richard Witkin, NYT
"The pictures were so clear that the French station said they appeared as if they had been sent from about 25 miles away. Reception in Britain was reported not to be as good." ~ John W. Finney, NYT
-NYT, 11 July 1962.
"Ariel View of Bell System's satellite communications base near Andover, Me." -NYT, 11 July 1962.
-NYT, 5 July 1987
"GROUND STATIONS" - NYT, 11 July 1962
The United States government set about using Telstar for political purposes. On July 23, 1962, part of a press conference given by President Kenney was broadcast across the Atlantic Ocean.
On November 20, 1963, President Kennedy used Telstar to send a recorded message to Japan, voicing his hopes for increased communications between the countries to facilitate peace and well-being.
Through the duration of its operation, Telstar relayed over 400 telephone, telegraph, facsimile, and television transmissions.
