Horn antenna truck, Andover, 1962
Item 25462 info
Maine Historical Society
Telstar's elliptical orbit required a sophisticated system for positioning the huge horn-shaped antenna that would pick up and transmit signals from the satellite.
On July 11, 1962, at 6:17 p.m., Andover picked up the satellite signal. At 6:29 p.m., Telstar transmitted a telephone conversation between Vice President Lyndon Johnson and AT&T Chairman Frederick Kappel.
At 6:31, the smaller horn antenna in New Jersey received an image of the American flag in front of the Andover earth station that Andover had sent to Telstar.
At 6:45 p.m., the earth station in Pleumeur-Bodou, France, received the signal sent from Andover via Telstar and, at 7 p.m., the station in Goonhilly Downs, England, received the signal.
Telstar and Andover were a success.
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