How the U.S. Accidentally Nuked Its Own Communications Satellite

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How the U.S. Accidentally Nuked Its Own Communications Satellite

In 1962 a small spherical satellite weighing about 77 kilograms was launched from Cape Canaveral. Its name was Telstar 1, and it was the first commercial telecommunications satellite—the first of a long line that have led to today's digitally connected world, where television programs and other media are easily accessible at locations across the globe.

By the following February, however, Telstar 1 had been completely fried by energetic electrons from a U.S. high-altitude nuclear test.

http://news.yahoo.com/u-accidentally...161700637.html

[Arnie100]

Reminds me of:

[commanding]

http://youtu.be/D6DmtPQv7V8

There was a song around 1962-63 named Telstar after the sat. that was very popular.

[Piirka]

http://youtu.be/D6DmtPQv7V8

There was a song around 1962-63 named Telstar after the sat. that was very popular.

Hmm... I though I knew the song, but what I had in my mind, was something different than this:


Edit: Also, how did I not see, that Commanding had already a link...

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http://youtu.be/D6DmtPQv7V8

There was a song around 1962-63 named Telstar after the sat. that was very popular.

Interesting, thanks guys!

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

Starfish Prime was not one of the brightest moments in American nuclear testing.

"Hey, let's set off a nuclear weapon in space and see what happens! Will it create a new Van Allen radiation belt?" [the answer: yes]

[tryrtty54]

Thanks for sharing.

[C.Puffs]

Starfish Prime was not one of the brightest moments in American nuclear testing.

"Hey, let's set off a nuclear weapon in space and see what happens! Will it create a new Van Allen radiation belt?" [the answer: yes]

Oh yeah I'm sure that's exactly how much thought went into it. Theory only gets you so far, then you have to test. That should be obvious.