NASA HISTORY: Atlas Rocket Takes Off From Cape Canaveral With World’s First Communications Satellite
By NASA // December 19, 2016
Took off December 18, 1958
ABOVE VIDEO: An Atlas rocket roared into the night sky on December 18, 1958, carrying the world’s first active communications satellite.
(NASA) – An Atlas rocket roared into the night sky on December 18, 1958, carrying the world’s first active communications satellite.
The payload, Signal Communications by Orbiting Relay Equipment (SCORE) satellite carried a small recorder and a message to the world from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Eisenhower’s message served to reassure Americans during a trying time in history. More than that it projected a message of peace to the world.
Eisenhower used the unique and marvelous opportunity presented by the world’s first communications satellite to tell humanity, “Through this unique means I convey to you and to all mankind, America’s wish for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men everywhere.”
