A history of communication satellites must begin with the first satellite, though it was not used for communication. On October 4, 1957, the former Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, making the Soviet Union the first space power and starting the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States was the second country to reach space. Four months after Sputnik I achieved orbit, the United States launched Explorer I.

The idea of using satellites for communication predates both Explorer and Sputnik. In 1945, Arthur C. Clarke first suggested that satellites in geosynchronous orbit could be used for communication purposes. The belt that circles the Equator more than 22,000 miles in space is often called Clarke orbit, in his honor.

In 1960, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Skynet joined forces to launch an experimental aluminum-coated balloon. Echo I was used to reflect microwave...