Published: July 21, 2025 | By: Rungreung Huanraluek
The Birth of Borderless Communication through Communication Satellites
After World War II, rocket technology advanced rapidly, especially during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the worlds first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Though it only transmitted simple beepbeep radio signals to showcase scientific and military capability, Sputnik 1 ignited the space age and sparked worldwide interest in satellite technology :contentReference
Building on Sputniks success, satellite communications took a major leap in 1960 when the United States launched Echo 1 on August 12, 1960. This large, inflatable Mylar balloon satellite acted as a passive reflector, bouncing radio signals between distant ground stationsdemonstrating the first satellite-enabled voice and data links :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
In 1962, the U.S. launched Telstar 1 into Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) on July 10. It became the first active, commercial communications satellite capable of amplifying and relaying television, telephone, and fax signals across the Atlanticushering in true intercontinental satellite broadcasting :contentReference
Between 1963 and 1964, the U.S. launched Syncom 2 and Syncom 3 into Geostationary Orbit (GEO), confirming Arthur C. Clarkes vision. Syncom 3, in particular, transmitted live images of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games to the United States, proving GEO satellites could deliver reliable, real-time intercontinental communication :contentReference
