The origins of satellite communications, 1945-1965

"Conventional assumptions hold that U.S. government research and development efforts produced the satellite communications industry. David J. Whalen looks deeply into the history of the industry and presents remarkable new information to tell a much different story. He finds that most of the satellite technology was privately developed by AT & T and Hughes Aircraft Company, and that the market for satellite communications existed before the government stepped in." "Many previous histories of satellite communications have emphasized government contributions; this version is the first to focus on the industry's contributions."--Jacket.