This huge, 100ft-diameter balloon was one of the first communications satellites ever launched.
Made of mylar polyester just 0.0127 millimeters thick and weighing in only 150lbs, the balloon could be inflated with just a few pounds of gas.
Known as “Echo satellites” the first was launched in 1960 and the second launched just over 50 years ago on January 25, 1964.
Initially the satellites were sent up into space to test the atmosphere, but pioneering engineers soon realized they'd be great for bouncing signals from Earth to space and back again!
No comments:
Post a Comment