Global Instantaneous Telecommunications and the Development of Satellite Technology

Abstract

No space-based technology has been more significant, and more obvious, than satellite telecommunications. This chapter tells the story of NASA’s role, in relation to private industry, in its development. There were very specific public policy, technology, and public/private relations to be developed for the first time in history. AT&T was committed to developing and operating its own communication satellites, insisting on extending its US monopoly into space. Politicos on all sides of the issue had different perspectives. NASA, charged with developing the technology and launching the satellites, sought to negotiate these divergent policy positions. Moreover, the potential for partnership was great, but not effectively pursued. The result was a failure of innovation in the policy arena, a major debate that led to technological stagnation, and only with the establishment of a later public/private partnership did an industry that everyone knew was real successfully begin operations in the latter 1960s. (Roger D. Launius)