Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS)

The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) was a NASA project launched in 1993 to improve satellite communication technology. It introduced innovative features like high-frequency Ka-band transmissions and on-board processing, which allowed for faster and more reliable data transfer. ACTS helped develop advanced techniques that paved the way for modern high-speed internet, mobile communications, and global networking. While it was a research satellite, its insights and technologies contributed significantly to the evolution of satellite communications, making communications more flexible, efficient, and capable of supporting a wide range of services worldwide.