Also in July 1962, the United States detonated a high-altitude nuclear bomb known as Starfish Prime 400 km above the Pacific Ocean. The blast pumped the Earth’s magnetic field full of radiation, creating artificial belts of charged particles around the planet.

Unfortunately, this newly electrified environment was bad news for satellites. Telstar 1, launched just a day later, became an unintended casualty. As it passed through the radiation-charged Van Allen Belts, its delicate electronics began to degrade. By November 1962, Telstar was faltering, and by February 1963, it fell silent.

Amazing slice of science history.