Telstar Credit - Sven Grahn

The first active-repeater communications satellite, Telstar demonstrated the feasibility of transmitting television images, telephone, telegraph and radio messages on a global basis. Launched by a Delta booster, Telstar first went into orbit on July 10, 1962. Telstar II was orbited on May 7, 1963. Both satellites were highly successful. NASA provided launch vehicles and tracking facilities on a reimbursable basis. Prime Contractor: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, management by Bell Telephone Laboratories.

Typical orbit: 958 x 8222 km, 43.7 deg inclinaton. Mass: 78 kg (171 lb).

• 1962 July 10 - Telstar 1 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 77 kg (169 lb). Perigee: 945 km (587 mi). Apogee: 5,643 km (3,506 mi). Inclination: 44.80 deg. Period: 157.80 min.
  First commercial comsat; active repeater. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

• 1963 May 7 - Telstar 2 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Mass: 79 kg (174 lb). Perigee: 972 km (603 mi). Apogee: 10,802 km (6,712 mi). Inclination: 42.70 deg. Period: 225.30 min.
  Active repeater. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).