Communications satellite of a GEO satellite. Like LEOs, these satellites don’t maintain a stationary distance from the earth. This is in contrast to the geostationary orbit, where satellites are always approximately from the earth. Typically the orbit of a medium earth orbit satellite is about above earth. In various patterns, these satellites make the trip around earth in anywhere from 2 to 8 hours. In 1962, the first communications satellite, Telstar, was launched. It was a medium earth orbit satellite designed to help facilitate high-speed telephone signals. Although it was the first practical way to transmit signals over the horizon, its major
American Satellite Corporation American Satellite Corporation American Satellite Corporation (ASC) was one of many Fairchild Industries subsidiary companies, and was established in partnership with Continental Telephone in 1972. Emanuel Fthenakis was the President and Chief Executive Officer upon the founding of the corporation. He was replaced in 1976 by Harry Dornbrand, who was President of Fairchild Space and Electronics division at the time. Under their leadership ASC pioneered advancements in satellite broadcasting both domestically and abroad. In June 1973 ASC became the first company to transmit United States domestic television via satellite. The first broadcast was of an address by then Speaker of