April 13,1974: Western Union and NASA joined forces to launch Westar 1, the first commercially-launched American domestic communications satellite. Built by Hughes using the HS-333 spin-stabilized platform, Westar 1 was the first of five satellites launched by Western Union from 1974 to 1982. Like Anik A-1, it carried 12 transponders. It was used by Western Union for its telegraph and mailgram services, as well as by PBS, NPR and the Mutual Broadcasting System. Westar 1 was retired from service in April 1983

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