Object Details
- Manufacturer
- Hughes Aircraft
- Summary
- Launched on July 26 1963, Syncom 2 was the second of three communication satellites developed by Hughes Aircraft Company in the early 1960s to demonstrate the feasibility of space based communications technology from geosynchronous orbit. Syncom 2 flew in an inclined rather than an equatorial geosynchronous orbit. The latter became the standard orbit for most subsequent communications satellites, including Syncom 3.
- NASA used Syncom 2 to conduct a number of engineering tests and public demonstrations of the possibilities of satellite communications. In August 1963, President John F. Kennedy used the spacecraft to make a telephone call to Nigerian Prime Minister Abubakar Balewa. It was the first two-way call between heads of state via satellite.
- The Museum's artifact originally was given to Dr. Hugh Dryden, Deputy Administrator of NASA. Mrs. Dryden donated the scale model (which includes an AM radio) to NASM in 1974.
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mrs. Hugh Dryden.
- Inventory Number
- A19750406000
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- MODELS-Uncrewed Spacecraft & Parts
- Materials
- Plastic, paint, brass, steel, synthetic felt
- Dimensions
- Overall: 7 1/2in. x 7in. x 8in. (19.1 x 17.8 x 20.3cm)
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Air and Space Museum Collection
- National Air and Space Museum
- Record ID
- nasm_A19750406000
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv97b90716c-bc21-4166-933b-a2c347d6edba
