Trans – Atlantic TV With Telstar II

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30126, 9 May 1963, Page 15

Trans - Atlantic TV With Telstar II

(N.ZJ’ut -Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, May 8.

British and French stations last night received the first test transmission relayed across the Atlantic by the new Telstar II communications satellite.

A further transmission m the same orbit was cancelled when the giant tracking station at Andover Maine, lost telemetry contact with the newly-launched satellite Scientists said that on subsequent orbits the signal would be stronger as the satellite passed closer and closer to the transmitter on its elliptical transit. Scientists and engineers sent a five-minute video-tape programme of officials explaining the project from Andover to the satellite as it passed over South America more than 6600 miles out in space Its speed was nearly 8500 miles an hour. Four minutes after the test began, scientists at Andover reported the programme was being received at both Goon-

hilly Downs, in Britain, and at Pleumeur - Bodou. in France In contrast to Telstar I’s first test transmission, the British engineers “acquired” the new satellite promptly and received a steady, clear picture they described as "excellent.” The French were “a little late” and got only a momentary picture before the tape ended.

The first test transmission, made on the satellite’s fourth orbit since its launching early yesterday morning, was only a partial success, but scientists expected to do much better with tests on the next orbit Astronaut Coverage United Press International said that the 1751 b satellite, which was successfully launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral, might next week beam the first Hive” inter-continental television pictures of a manned space flight.

If a test transmission is successful Telstar II might transmit to Europe television pictures of the space flight of tiie American astronaut. Gordon Cooper, planned for next Tuesday. The television signals would be sent by land line from Cape Canaveral to Andover and flashed from there to the satellite as it speeds across the Atlantic between North America and Europe