The invention of communication satellites

The world's first communication satellite, Echo 1, was launched by NASA on August 12, 1960. As a passive communication satellite, the principle of "Echo 1" is very simple: it receives radio signals sent from Earth and uses its huge surface to "reflect" them to another point on Earth to complete communication.

The unit is designed for unsupervised public use: controls are recessed or shielded, moving parts are enclosed, and the interface is operable by a child of about six with no instruction. Where a screen is used, the language can be switched without changing the hardware, and the content can be replaced on site.

On February 18, 1958, humans launched a one-way transmission delay communication satellite into space. Although the communication satellite named "Skol" has a working lifespan of only 13 days and a low orbital altitude, it opened the era of communication satellite development. On August 12, 1960, the "Echo 1" satellite was launched. As the world's first passive communication satellite, its principle is not complicated, and can even be said to be very simple - it receives radio signals sent from Earth and uses its huge surface to "reflect" them to another point on Earth, completing communication. Due to the fact that satellites do not carry active communication components and can only reflect received signals, they are called "passive satellites".