Telstar 1 is a defunct communications satellite launched by NASA on 10 July 1962. One of the earliest communications satellites, it was the first telecommunications satellite, achieving live transmission of broadcast television images between the United States and Europe. Telstar 1 remained active for only 7 months before it prematurely failed due to Starfish Prime, a high-altitude nuclear test conducted by the United States. Although the satellite is no longer operational, it remains in Earth orbit.