Communications Satellites

The first active communications satellite, which relayed the first transatlantic television signals in 1962.

The first commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit, which began regular transatlantic telecommunications service in 1965.

A long-running series of Soviet communications satellites that gave their name to the Molniya orbit — a highly elliptical orbit whose slow apogee high over the northern latitudes provided the coverage that geostationary satellites could not reach at high latitudes.

A low-Earth-orbit satellite-phone and data constellation serving voice, messaging, and IoT connectivity.

The second-generation Iridium constellation of 66 cross-linked low-Earth-orbit satellites providing pole-to-pole voice and data coverage.

SES's medium-Earth-orbit broadband constellation delivering low-latency connectivity to telecom, maritime, and enterprise customers between the tropics and beyond.

A low-Earth-orbit broadband constellation providing global connectivity, focused on enterprise, government, and maritime users.

SpaceX's low-Earth-orbit broadband internet constellation, the largest ever built, delivering global high-speed connectivity.