COMSAT Corporation and the Legacy of Intelsat 1: Revolutionizing Satellite Guidance and Communication Systems in the Late 1960s

COMSAT Corporation was created by the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 and incorporated as a publicly traded company on February 1, 1963. The primary goal of COMSAT was to serve as a public, federally funded corporation intended to develop a commercial and international satellite communication system. Although the corporation was government-regulated, it was equally owned by some major communications corporations and independent investors. COMSAT began operations with its headquarters in Washington, D.C., in 1962, with a six-person founding board of directors appointed by President John F. Kennedy, including Phil Graham who served as Chairman (until his resignation in January 1963), Leo D. Welch, Joseph V. Charyk, David M. Kennedy, George Killion, Leonard H. Marks, and Bruce Sundlun.

Fig.1: Communications Satellite Act of 1962

COMSAT’s unique position in the business world was carved out by the passage of the Communications Satellite Act of 1962, completed by the U.S. Congress on August 31, 1962. The act aimed to join together private communication companies to make satellites more obtainable. The act was signed by President John F. Kennedy, who reported that “the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 [has] brought mankind to the threshold of a full-time global communications service to which all nations of the world may have equal access.” At this point in time, much had been accomplished towards a global communications system. COMSAT had been joined by 17 nations for the creation of INTELSAT, the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium. Fifty-five nations had joined INTELSAT, which was a consortium established to provide an intergovernmental owning of communications satellites. INTELSAT was created at a time when private companies were unwilling to invest in satellite technology shortly after the passing of the Communications Satellite Act of 1962.

Intelsat 1:

Intelsat 1, also known as Early Bird, was the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit on April 6, 1965. It was built by the Space and Communications Group of Hughes Aircraft Company for the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT), which activated it on June 28, 1965. The satellite was designed to provide regular telecommunications and broadcasting services between North America and Europe, and it was a game-changer in the field of satellite guidance and communications systems.

Fig.2: Intelsat 1

Intelsat 1 was the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit, which allowed it to remain in a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface. This made it possible to establish a permanent link between two points on the Earth’s surface, which was not possible with earlier satellites.

Guidance System:

• Intelsat 1 was spin-stabilized, which means that it rotated around its axis to maintain its orientation in space. This allowed the satellite’s antennas to remain pointed at the Earth’s surface, which was essential for maintaining a stable communications link.
• The satellite’s guidance system was based on a set of gyroscopes and accelerometers, which were used to measure the satellite’s orientation and velocity. This information was then used to adjust the satellite’s spin rate and maintain its position in geosynchronous orbit.
• Intelsat 1’s guidance system was also equipped with a set of thrusters, which were used to make small adjustments to the satellite’s orbit. These thrusters were essential for maintaining the satellite’s position in geosynchronous orbit, which was critical for maintaining a stable communications link.
• The satellite’s guidance system was monitored and controlled from the ground, using a network of tracking stations located around the world. These tracking stations were used to communicate with the satellite and send commands to adjust its orbit or orientation as needed.

Communication System:

Credits: NASA

• Intelsat 1’s onboard communication system consisted of a set of transponders that provided bandwidth and power over designated radio frequencies. The transponders received, amplified, and retransmitted signals over a designated geographic area. The bandwidth and power of the transponders dictated how much information could be transmitted through them and how big the ground equipment must be to receive the signal.
• The satellite’s antennas directed the signal over a specific geographic area. The antennas were designed to remain pointed at the Earth’s surface, which was essential for maintaining a stable communications link. The antennas were also designed to be electronically steerable, which allowed them to adjust their direction as needed to maintain a stable link.
• COMSAT Corporation played a significant role in the development of Intelsat 1’s onboard communication and antenna system. The company was responsible for the launching of the Early Bird communications satellite, and it helped to establish the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) as a leader in the field of satellite communications.

In conclusion, COMSAT Corporation was a pioneering company that played a significant role in the development of satellite technology and satellite communication systems. Its founders, including Phil Graham, Leo D. Welch, Joseph V. Charyk, David M. Kennedy, George Killion, Leonard H. Marks, and Bruce Sundlun, were visionaries who helped to create a global communications system that has transformed the world. COMSAT’s legacy lives on today, and its contributions to the field of satellite guidance systems continue to inspire new generations of entrepreneurs and engineers.