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TELSTAR 1

activeCommunicationsMEO

Telstar 1 is a defunct communications satellite launched by NASA on 10 July 1962. One of the earliest communications satellites, it was the first telecommunications satellite, achieving live transmission of broadcast television images between the United States and Europe. Telstar 1 remained active for only 7 months before it prematurely failed due to Starfish Prime, a high-altitude nuclear test conducted by the United States. Although the satellite is no longer operational, it remains in Earth orbit.

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Launch

Launch date
July 10, 1962 at 08:35 AM UTC
Launch site
Cape Canaveral SFS, USA
Launched by
Thor Delta →
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission
Telstar 1
Launch record
View full launch →

Orbit

Orbit regime
MEO
Apoapsis
5,640 km
Periapsis
945 km
Inclination
44.8°
Orbital period
157.74 min

Identity

COSPAR (Int'l)
1962-029A
NORAD catalog №
340
Object type
Payload
Owner / operator
United StatesUnited States
Radar cross-section
0.5046 m²
Status
active