Telestar

Telestar (often misspelled as "Telestar") is a common misspelling of "Telstar," the name of the first active communications satellite. Launched on July 10, 1962, Telstar 1 was a technological marvel of its time, enabling the first live transatlantic television broadcasts. It was a joint project between AT&T, Bell Telephone Laboratories, NASA, the British General Post Office, and the French National PTT (Postes, Télégraphes et Téléphones).

The satellite used a traveling-wave tube to amplify the received signal from Earth and retransmit it back, allowing for real-time communication across continents. Telstar 1's groundbreaking capabilities opened up new possibilities for international communication and laid the foundation for the global satellite communication networks we rely on today.

Although short-lived due to radiation damage from high-altitude nuclear testing, Telstar 1 and its successor, Telstar 2, left an indelible mark on telecommunications history. The name "Telstar" has since become synonymous with early satellite technology and the dawn of the space age.