Dime For Your Thoughts Sputnik

Fifty years ago, on October 4, 1957, a strange metallic ball orbited the Earth. This little ball had an entire world on edge because many around the word thought it was spying for the Russians. It wasn't, this satellite transmitted a beep back to Earth with data about the conditions in space. What this event was about to start, would change the way the world would communicate. It would change the world's economy, lifestyles, relationships, and create two entirely new industries; the Satellite Communications industry and Space exploration. At the time Sputnik was launched there was already TV, Radio, and telephones, but the great improvements to these technologies due to the introduction of satellites made these sytems work better and more efficient. It was the beginning of the Space Age and the Communications Age. Soon man would no longer limited to this planet.

Sputnik, (meaning traveling companion in Russian) weighed 184 lbs., and was 23 inches wide. The satellite traveled around the Earth every 96 minutes and at a speed of five miles per second. The original purpose of Sputnik was to test for future manned space exploration. Sputnik was used to gauge temperature, radiation, and other measurements; and broadcast them back to Earth. Sputnik did not work as satellites today work. Satellites today are used to bounce signals transmitted from Earth and then spread those signal so they may received in multiple locations. Sputnik made measurements in space and transmitted them back to Earth, there was no uplink center.

Just less than one month later the Soviet Union launched the second satellite, Sputnik 2, on November 3, 1957. Sputnik 2, was yet another break through. Sputnik 2, carried the first living creature in space; a dog named Laika. They used the dog for tests of physical conditions from space flight. Laika was the first space traveler and the first casualty of space travel. Laika died after day five of the seven day mission. Laika would have died anyway because the Russians had not yet figured out re-entry.

Not to be outdone, the Americans were not far behind. On January 31, 1958, the United States launched Explorer 1. Explorer 1, went 600 miles farther into space and detected a radiation belt (the Van Allen Belt). Because of this discovery, a way to shield against the radiation was later discovered; saving lives.

May 13,1960, the United States, launched the first communications satellite appropriately named Echo 1. Due to a rocket failure, the satellite was not put into orbit till August 12, 1960. This satellite was a large globe just like Sputnik and the microwave signals bounced off the skin. The satellite was used for telecommunications. This satellite was in service for over 8 years, and burned up in the atmosphere May 24, 1968. Echo 2 was launched on January 25, 1964.

While Nasa and the Soviet Union were launching satellites, Bell Labs was buzzing with the development of a new satellite, Telstar 1. On July 10, 1962, AT&T (Bell Labs parent company) launched Telstar 1. On july 23, 1962, Telstar 1 transmitted the first television broadcast across the Atlantic to Europe, who then transmitted it via radio waves across that continent. This marked the true beginnings of satellite TV. Less than 10 years later, Cable operators would be using satellite reception to transfer a signal over their lines. This meant they could get the signal though satellite instead of an antenna, and didn't have to worry about trying to acquire the signal through mountains anymore.

As the Seventies progressed, so did the satellite industry. There were several launches during this decade. Anik, a Canadian satellite was launched in 1972. In 1975, Intellasat and RCA Satcom were launched. In 1976, Indonesia, became the third country to join the satellite age. Marisat, the first mobile communication satellite was launched in 1976. This was the beginning of the "C-band era". By the end of the Seventies these dishes were going for less than $5,000.00 , and continued to shrink in size. The increase in Satellite technology in the Seventies paved the way for the new era, Cable channels. The Seventies brought the first paid cable channels in 1972, HBO (Home Box Office) was launched and was the first station to be broadcast nationwide.

In the Eighties along came MTV, and the Super Stations like TNT. These channels were not like the networks, and the only place you could receive them was through your cable provider; or via a C-Band satellite dish and reciever. A new transmission band was introduced in the Eighties called "KU Band".

The Nineties probably brought us the biggest advance in satellite technology. Along came DBS systems. Signals were now digitized, and compressed allowing a better picture; and more space for additional channels. The DBS dish was only 18 inches and was more ascetically pleasing. DBS offered digital channels for a smaller price and a much better picture. Digital signals did not have roll over, or other problem associated with an analog signal.

The Nineties brought a great increase in data transmission via Satellite. V-sats were, and still are an affordable; simple means of communication, and data transmission. In the late Nineties the V-sat industry made huge leaps. Star Band, and Hughes had the first consumer V-sat systems. Rural areas could have broadband just as the large cities had cable and DSL. Though V-sat technology started in the Eighties it made a big impact in the Nineties and continues today. Today cities, are dotted with a familiar site of satellite dishes from video to V-sat to uplink centers. You see them on gas stations, taverns and around the corner on houses. Though they all have different applications, they all use much the same technology. This is what that little metal ball started 50 years ago.

Today we see larger package satellite systems that carry voice, data, and video off one system. Mobile systems have greatly aided Search and rescue teams in disaster situations. The next big thing in TV communications is over 100 channels broadcast in high definition. Just a few years ago this seemed impossible.

Think of how life would be different without satellites. You likely wouldn't be reading this article and wouldn't have 200 plus channels to watch. Long range communication has become short range. We are a world that is connected. Today there are well over 2000 satellites in space. We now use them for all types of communication, including the most recent innovation satellite radio; that gives us the choice of over 100 channels of music, talk, and sports.

Sputnik began Space Exploration. Little more than ten years after Sputnik, man walked on the Moon. 45 years later robots would travel across the Martian surface. The Russians also Built Mir, the first space station and now we have people living in space on the International Space station. Today, we are on the verge of the first commercial space flight and commercial spacecraft is being designed for future space travels. Someday, maybe in the next ten years, you will be able to buy a ticket to travel in Space.

I can't help but wonder if anyone with a telescope watching Sputnik pass through the night sky, had a clue what would become of that moment 50 years later. On one day one metal ball marked both the beginning of satellite communications, and the beginning of space exploration. What a truly pivotal day this was in history. We can now look back and see the meaning of October 4, 1957. One of the greatest advances in Human history.

When looking back we can see just what pioneering spirit can do, may it never end, let us forever reach for the stars.

Here is some views of Space by NASA. See what Sputnik started. My personal favorite is the Earth Rise. We are custom to seeing the Sun rise, and Moon rise but the Earth? How spectacular this is to see? I hope some day I will be able to travel to space and see this with my own eyes.

http://space.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/sreport_flash/sputnik-legacy/sputnik-legacy.html

LCW French Terry Sweatshirt

A chronological timeline for satellite technology from 1945-1980:

1945 Arthur C. Clarke Article: "Extra-Terrestrial Relays"
1955 John R. Pierce Article: "Orbital Radio Relays"
1957 Sputnik: Russia launches the first earth satellite.
1960 1st Successful DELTA Launch Vehicle
1960 AT&T applies to FCC for experimental satellite communications license
1961 Formal start of TELSTAR, RELAY, and SYNCOM Programs
1962 TELSTAR and RELAY launched
1962 Communications Satellite Act (U.S.)
1963 SYNCOM launched
1964 INTELSAT formed
1965 COMSAT's EARLY BIRD: 1st commercial communications satellite
1969 INTELSAT-III series provides global coverage
1972 ANIK: 1st Domestic Communications Satellite (Canada)
1974 WESTAR: 1st U.S. Domestic Communications Satellite
1975 INTELSAT-IVA: 1st use of dual-polarization
1975 RCA SATCOM: 1st operational body-stabilized comm. satellite
1976 MARISAT: 1st mobile communications satellite
1976 PALAPA: 3rd country (Indonesia) to launch domestic comm. satellite
1979 INMARSAT formed.

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