in 1960, followed by Telstar 1 in 1962. Although these projects had difficulties with signal strength and tracking that could be solved through geosynchronous satellites, the concept was seen as impractical, so Hughes often withheld funds and support.

By 1961, Rosen and his team produced a cylindrical prototype with a diameter of 76 cm, height of 38 cm, weighing 11.3 kg; it was light, small enough to place in orbit by then-available rocketry, was spin stabilised