Origins of satellite communications, 1945-1965
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 197-213) and index.

"Challenging the conventional wisdom -- the assumption that government (politics rather than economics) developed satellite communications because industry could not -- is the purpose of this book. That part of the story told here is of the invention of two kinds of communications satellites by AT&T and Hughes Aircraft Company, followed by government intervention to control that technology for political purposes. The primary rationale for government intervention appears to have been a desire to enhance foreign and domestic prestige in the Cold War era by demonstrating a practical application of space technology. In addition, a combination of antitrust, antibusiness, and anti-AT&T sentiment contributed to the outcome ... Five outcomes of government intervention will be traced in the pages that follow: (1) the forcing of AT&T out of satellite communications; (2) the establishment of Comsat/Intelsat; (3) the positioning of Hughes as the dominant commercial satellite manufacturer; (4) the establishment of geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) as the preferred orbit; and (5) the dominance of U.S. manufacturers in satellites and launch vehicles. Though not described at length in this work, government intervention in satellite communication development must be seen as part of the Cold War. This was not 'policy for technology' -- that is, policy whose purpose is to advance technology. Government intervention in satellite communications is an example of 'technology for policy' -- that is, the use of technology to advance public policy. In this case, the U.S. government wanted to show the world that it was ahead of the Soviet Union in space and show the American taxpayers that their money spent on the space race would have practical applications. Finally, this work does not describe all of the events that led to the emergence of satellite communications. This is just one of many stories, but it is a story that has not been told. Many individuals -- 'space cadets,' defense intellectuals, Cold War politicians, engineers, businesspeople -- and many institutions helped make satellite communications and the global village a reality. This story is about the contribution of engineers, businessmen, and market-driven industry"--Preface.