December 18th

On this day - 18th December 1958 - The launch of the worlds first communication satellite (SCORE)

SCORE stands for Signal Communications by Orbiting Relay Equipment. It was lunched aboard an american rocket (Atlas) in 1958. It gained international fame for its broadcast of a Christmas message by President Eisenhower through short waves radio. The launched of the Satellite was a part of the Cold War conflict and an american response to the Soviets Sputnik1 and Sputnik2. The project had been conducted in a secrecy so that  only 88 people knew of its existence. Out of the 88 were 53 told that the project was canceled, so that by the time of the launch only 35 people knew of the mission.

The aim of SCORE was to prove that an Atlas missile could be put into orbit and to demonstrate the possible of transmitting messages through the upper atmosphere from station to station.

The first message transmitted from space to earth was

"This is the President of the United States speaking. Through the marvels of scientific advance, my voice is coming to you from a satellite circling in outer space. My message is a simple one: Through this unique means I convey to you and to all mankind, America's wish for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men everywhere"