Satellite Communications System From The Encyclopedia of
Mormonism Author: Christensen, Bruce L. Communications
satellites, as here referred to, are small radio transmitters
orbiting the earth. Typical geosynchronous orbits are 22,300
miles above the equator. These tiny man-made moons make possible
transmission of voice, data, radio, and television signals to
every point on the globe. The introduction of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to satellite broadcasting came
during the first satellite exchange between North America and
Europe, which included a performance by the tabernacle choir in
front of Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Since that time the
Church has developed its own private satellite distribution
system. In 1982 it purchased transponder capacity on Westar IV
from the Public Broadcasting Service. Transmitting, or "uplink,"
facilities were built in City Creek Canyon near Salt Lake City
from which signals from the tabernacle and elsewhere could be
beamed into space. Receiving, or "downl