Providing Global Communications

Making History

20 December 1961

The United Nations General Assembly adopts Resolution 1721, stating that global satellite communications should be made available on a non-discriminatory basis.

31 August 1962

President John F. Kennedy signs the Communications Satellite Act, with the goal of establishing a satellite system in cooperation with other nations.

20 August 1964

The International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT) is established on the basis of agreements signed by governments and operating entities.

6 April 1965

Early Bird (Intelsat I) is launched into synchronous orbit. This is the world's first commercial communications satellite and "live via satellite" is born.

28 June 1965

Early Bird begins providing television and voice services. Officials in the United States and Europe exchange greetings in a transatlantic ceremony introducing the new service.

26 January 1967

Commercial satellite service between the United States and Japan is established, with live television coverage in both countries.

1 July 1969

The world's first global satellite communications system is complete with the Intelsat III satellite covering the Indian Ocean Region.

20 July 1969

Intelsat transmits television images of the moon landing around the world - a record 500 million television viewers worldwide see Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon "Live via Intelsat."