| When Arthur C. Clarke penned the modern classic | | | | boxing match 'The Thriller from Manila.' Delivered |
| "2001, A Space Odyssey," he surely had no idea | | | | by HBO in 1976, this is one heavyweight match |
| that just years after his work was published life | | | | that would surely change history. Later in 1976, |
| would truly imitate his work of literary art. This | | | | NASA scientist Emeritus H. Taylor Howard would |
| happened more specifically in the case of his | | | | develop a satellite television system that lead |
| descriptions from the article "Extraterrestrial | | | | directly to his home, the first ever, working out |
| Relays," published in 1945. In the article, Clarke | | | | of his garage! |
| describes placing three 'space platforms' in outer | | | | While satellite television took a real hit in the |
| space, placing them in orbit around the Earth's | | | | 1980's with the 1984 Cable Act, limiting what used |
| equator. His intention of placing such space | | | | to be the free acquisition of cable television |
| platforms, now known as 'satellites' in outer space | | | | programming as intercepted by satellite dish, the |
| was to create a global communications network | | | | real march towards perfecting satellite technology |
| by sending signals to and from these 'space | | | | never really ceased. Since the 1990's a variety of |
| platforms.' In1957 this vision was realized for the | | | | companies have worked to develop a slew of |
| first time when the Russians launched the world's | | | | important satellite technologies that range from |
| first satellite, Sputnik. In the midst of Cold War | | | | communications, to intelligence and entertainment. |
| tensions, the United States launched Explorer I in | | | | While most people are aware of satellite TV due |
| 1958 as a reply to the Russians, and went as far | | | | to its extreme popularity, not as many have used |
| as to create NASA to perpetuate the US's | | | | or are informed about satellite internet, however, |
| position at the head of the 'space race.' For good | | | | this technology is quickly filling an important void in |
| or ill, from this turbulent period in history satellite | | | | the internet community by plugging holes in the |
| technology, to lead to developments like satellite | | | | terrestrial broadband network's map. |
| television, satellite radio, and satellite internet, was | | | | Looking at where the 'wired' world of high speed |
| born. | | | | internet ends, there are many places where |
| Surely at the beginning of satellite technology's | | | | people still can't get broadband, or high speed |
| use the real goals were developing ways to use | | | | internet at all. These internet subscribers are |
| the technology for intelligence and government | | | | stuck with dial-up, and simply can't communicate |
| purposes. Secondary to these motives was the | | | | or compete in a global world and marketplace. For |
| use of satellite technology to improve, develop | | | | this very reason, satellite technology is once again |
| and change everyday communications and | | | | heading to the forefront of global importance with |
| international information sharing methods. Private | | | | its satellite broadband service. Now, no matter |
| companies, not governments, funded and | | | | where on Earth a person is located they can |
| spearheaded the first geosynchronous satellites | | | | harness that same technology that has been |
| put in orbit. For example, the very first television | | | | astounding us for decades and go with satellite |
| program to be widely sent by satellite was the | | | | service! |