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1960 would also mark the year that the first weather satellite was launched by the U.S. The satellite, TIROS, for Television Infrared Observational Satellite, allowed the first look at weather patterns and atmospheric conditions from above. The on-board camera eliminated the limitations of local overhead observations and provided a much more beneficial view of the larger weather system. Its success and impact in the field of meteorology prompted the launch of 9 similar satellites throughout the 1960s. .
By the end of 1961 the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. had launched a total of 76 satellites. They would add 70 more the following year in addition to satellites launched by Canada and the United Kingdom. Then on July 23, 1963, in a cooperative effort between NASA and AT&T, the Telstar (right) became the first non-geostationary communications satellite. The resulting 2 minute call between AT&T Chairman Fred Kappel and President Lyndon B. Johnson became the first time spoken voice was received, amplified, and transmitted back to earth via satellite. The problem with the Telstar was that it was not geo-synchronous, meaning that signal transmission was impossible when the satellite fell below the horizon. It was clear that it would be necessary to have geosynchronous orbital patterns for a consistent wireless communication network to exist. This need spawned the creation and launch of the Early Bird in 1965 by the international telecommunications satellite agency, Intelsat. It became the first synchronous satellite. This qualification means that it remains above a constant point on the earth's surface while in orbit, and it is a characteristic which all modern-day communication satellites possess.
Another application for present-day satellites is for Global Positioning. The Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites orbit the earth just over twice a day along a very strict and precise path. Originally designed for military use, the network of 24 global satellites was made available to civilians in the 1980s.
