In 1975 NASA demonstrated that inexpensive satellite television could provide mass education and entertainment in developing countries. Transmissions aimed at India were received by enthusiasts in the UK.
The world's first home satellite receiver was built by hobbyist Steve Birkill, then working at BBC TV's Holme Moss transmitter station. The second was built by science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke in Sri Lanka and the third - not until 1978 - by an American, Bob Cooper.
Eyesore or status symbol? Views differed when satellite dishes first appeared on homes, especially as the first generation of reflectors stood out in the white paint finish used then.
Today's mesh-dishes look more discreet in their black finish. They've also become smaller, thanks to improving technology. At the same time, installers have become more skilful in siting dishes in less conspicuous places.
To protect the environment from unnecessarily large dishes, government regulations require planning permission for dishes larger than 90cm across and limit the number of satellite aerials to one per house or garden.
It took five years from Sputnik - the first satellite - to the launch of the first television satellite, Telstar. Created by AT&T, the American Telephone and Telegraph company, Telstar was the first satellite to transmit television signals and telephone calls across the Atlantic.
Telstar (and other early satellites) did not follow a geostationary orbit. It needed steerable tracking aerials in Britain, France and the USA to follow Telstar through the sky and receive its signals. At first, Telstar could only beam back still pictures. But within two weeks of launch, on July 23 1962, it carried the first ever 'live by satellite' TV conversation between Europe and USA.
Telstar made headlines around the world - and inspired a pop instrumental (by The Tornadoes) that was the first to top the charts simultaneously in both Britain and the USA.
