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The consortium began on August 20, 1964 as the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium with 11 participating countries. In 1973, the name was changed and there were 80 signatories. ITSO currently has over 100 members and provides service to over 600 Earth stations in more than 149 countries, territories and dependencies. Intelsat maintains it headquarters in Bermuda, with a majority of staff and satellite functions located at the Intelsat Global Services Corporation offices in Washington, DC.
On April 6 1965 Intelsat's first satellite, the Early Bird, was placed in geostationary orbit above the Atlantic Ocean.
On July 18 2001, Intelsat became a private company, Intelsat, Ltd., after 37 years as an intergovernmental organization.
Spacecraft operations are controlled through ground stations in Fucino, Italy , Clarksburg, Maryland (USA), Beijing, China, Raisting, Germany , Perth, Australia, and Paumalu, Hawaii (USA).
Since its inception, ITSO has used several versions (blocks) of its dedicated Intelsat satellites. ITSO competes each block of spacecraft independently, leading to a variety of contractors over the years. Intelsat's largest spacecraft supplier is Space Systems/LoralLogo of SS/Loral. Usage restricted. Trademarks on this page belong to their owner. See Image use policy. Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto, California, is the wholly-owned manufacturing subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications. It was acquired in 1990 by, having built 31 spacecraft (as of 2003), or nearly half of the Intelsat fleet.
Intelsat was sold for US $3.1bn in AugustSee August (album) for the album by Eric Clapton. August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days. Named in honor of Augustus Caesar. The month reputedly has 31 days because Augustus wanted as many days as Julius Caesar's Ju 20042004 is a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 2004 calendar), and has also been designated the: International Year of Rice International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition Elections are to be held in 73 co to four private equity firms: Madison Dearborn Partners, Apax Partners, Permira and Apollo Management.