Anik A1 Satellite Launched

The launch of the Anik A1 satellite in 1972 allowed the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to begin transmitting television programming to Northern communities.

The Anik A satellites represent the first generation of a series of synchronous orbit communications satellites developed by Hughes Aircraft Company for individual nations to use within their territorial boundaries. In October 2000, the Hughes satellite unit became Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. Three Anik A satellites were built for Telesat Canada, a corporation created in 1969 by the Canadian Parliament to establish and operate a domestic satellite communications system within Canada. Anik A became the world's first national domestic satellite.

 

Anik A-1 was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Delta rocket 9 November 1972.

A space rocket will be fired from Cape Kennedy in Florida this fall, carrying with it the Anik domestic communications satellite. The following January residents fo the Canadian Arctic will begin to enjoy the first benefits from Anik.

 

Initially, those benefits will include telephone services and radio programming to remote communities. This will be followed by live television.