In July 1962 the communications satellite 'Telstar' was launched. (If you have been following the latest 'James Webb Space Telescope' news story you will no doubt appreciate the degree of space exploration that has taken place in the 60 years since).

In 1962 'Telstar' was a big deal when on July 23rd the first transatlantic television pictures and satellite phone calls took place. Repairs were needed in early 1963 and then irreparable transistor failure occurred and it went out of service on 21st February. Telstar 2 was a replacement, launched from Cape Canaveral in May 1963 and remained active for two years.  

Such a big deal that record producer and songwriter Joe Meek composed and recorded a tune called 'Telstar' on 22nd July, performed by The Tornados and released on August 17. 

It was recorded in Meek's studio in a small flat above a shop in the Holloway Road, North London. (Years later a lawsuit resulted in no royalties being paid, due to plagiarism, successfully filed by French composer Jean Ledrut). 

The Tornados' single was a UK No.1 in October and then provided the first US No.1 by a British group on December 22nd 1962. 

Both original 'Telstar' satellites still orbit the Earth !