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By the late 1970s, communications via satellite had become a vital part of national and international life. The Comstar satellites were emblematic of this development. Built by Hughes Aircraft for American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T), then the dominant provider of telecommunications services in the US, the Comstars were AT&T's first effort at using satellites to complement its extensive system of ground-based communications.

The satellites were launched from 1976 to 1981. The last Comstar continued operation until 2002.

Hughes Aircraft donated this 1/24 scale model of a Comstar satellite to the Museum in 1975.

 Display Status

This object is on display in One World Connected at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

One World Connected
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type MODELS-Uncrewed Spacecraft & Parts Manufacturer Hughes Aircraft Co.
 Dimensions 3-D: 30.5 × 11.7 × 9.5cm (1 ft. × 4 5/8 in. × 3 3/4 in.)
 Materials Plastic, wood, copper alloy, steel, white metal plating, paint
 Inventory Number A19750769000 Credit Line Gift of Hughes Aircraft Co. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.