Communications Satellites
Satellites and constellations that relay voice, data, television, and internet.
- Telstar 1Retired
The first active communications satellite, which relayed the first transatlantic television signals in 1962.
OperatorAT&T / Bell LabsOrbitMEOLaunched1962 - Intelsat I (Early Bird)Retired
The first commercial communications satellite in geostationary orbit, which began regular transatlantic telecommunications service in 1965.
OperatorIntelsatOrbitGEOLaunched1965 - MolniyaRetired
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.
OperatorSoviet space programOrbitMolniya (HEO)Launched1965 - GlobalstarActive
A low-Earth-orbit satellite-phone and data constellation serving voice, messaging, and IoT connectivity.
OperatorGlobalstarOrbitLEO - Iridium NEXTActive
The second-generation Iridium constellation of 66 cross-linked low-Earth-orbit satellites providing pole-to-pole voice and data coverage.
OperatorIridium CommunicationsOrbitLEOSize66 operational satellites plus on-orbit spares - O3bActive
SES's medium-Earth-orbit broadband constellation delivering low-latency connectivity to telecom, maritime, and enterprise customers between the tropics and beyond.
OperatorSESOrbitMEO - OneWebActive
A low-Earth-orbit broadband constellation providing global connectivity, focused on enterprise, government, and maritime users.
OperatorOneWebOrbitLEOSize≈ 630 first-generation satellites - StarlinkActive
SpaceX's low-Earth-orbit broadband internet constellation, the largest ever built, delivering global high-speed connectivity.
OperatorSpaceXOrbitLEOSizeThousands of satellites — the largest constellation ever deployed