Informator 1 was a prototype communications satellite for the Koskon (Space Conversion) Global Space Communication System to collect and transmit data from several scientific stations with an additional radio amateur hosted payload. It was launched on 29 January 1991 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle.
Low Earth OrbitItaly's first operational communications satellite was launched 15 January 1991 by an Ariane-44L H10 booster. Developed by a contractor team led by Alenia Spazio, Italsat carries ten active transponders plus five spares for 30/20 GHz and 50/40 GHz links with a capacity of 12,000 telephone circuits.
Geostationary OrbitNATO-4 is the a communications satellite system serving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and British Ministry of Defense. NATO 4A was the first of two new-generation comsats offering secure military and diplomatic voice and data communications to NATO member nations and troops in the field.
Geostationary Orbit