Telstar's elliptical orbit required a sophisticated system for positioning the huge horn-shaped antenna that would pick up and transmit signals from the satellite.
On July 11, 1962, at 6:17 p.m., Andover picked up the satellite signal. At 6:29 p.m., Telstar transmitted a telephone conversation between Vice President Lyndon Johnson and AT&T Chairman Frederick Kappel.
At 6:31, the smaller horn antenna in New Jersey received an image of the American flag in front of the Andover earth station that Andover had sent to Telstar.
At 6:45 p.m., the earth station in Pleumeur-Bodou, France, received the signal sent from Andover via Telstar and, at 7 p.m., the station in Goonhilly Downs, England, received the signal.
