Intelsat's twentieth anniversary - Two decades of innovation in global communications
Abstract
It is pointed out that the world's global satellite communications revolution began with a study conducted by Clarke (1945), who provided a detailed description of a network of three geosynchronous communications satellites. However, Clarke had considered a need for manned space stations, because of maintenance requirements related to the use of radio tubes. This difficulty regarding the implementation of Clarke's concept was eliminated by the invention of the transistor. Following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, and the launch of the world's first communications satellite in 1958, the use of satellites for effective international satellite communications was considered by the World Administrative Radio Conference in 1959, and the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Intelsat) was established in 1964. Attention is given to Intelsat's accomplishments, patterns of innovation in connection with the growth in Intelsat traffic and technological advances, and future developments regarding Intelsat over the next 20 years.
- Publication:
-
ITU Telecommunication Journal
- Pub Date:
- January 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985ITUTJ..52...22C
- Keywords:
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- Communication Networks;
- Intelsat Satellites;
- Spacecraft Communication;
- Aerospace Technology Transfer;
- Cost Analysis;
- Dynamic Stability;
- Geosynchronous Orbits;
- Histories;
- International Cooperation;
- Satellite Antennas;
- Communications and Radar