Galaxy 1
Encyclopedia
Galaxy 1 was the first in a line of communications satellites launched by Hughes Communications in 1983. It was the first satellite exclusively devoted to cable television
, and carried many such services as HBO, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, Showtime, The Disney Channel, TBS, CNN, among some.
In 1992, Galaxy 1 was replaced by Galaxy 5 as the predominant cable television service, when a majority of satellite TV services relocated onto that satellite.
It was originally slated for retirement in 1992 and replacement by Galaxy 1R, but the replacement was lost during launch and it would not be replaced until 1994, when it was replaced by Galaxy 1RR.
The Home Box Office signal on transponder 23 of Galaxy 1 was interrupted during the infamous Captain Midnight attack
on April 27, 1986. The attack was directed towards HBO for their adoption of the Videocipher
system and for charging high prices for access to the HBO and Cinemax
services with that system.
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
, and carried many such services as HBO, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, Showtime, The Disney Channel, TBS, CNN, among some.
In 1992, Galaxy 1 was replaced by Galaxy 5 as the predominant cable television service, when a majority of satellite TV services relocated onto that satellite.
It was originally slated for retirement in 1992 and replacement by Galaxy 1R, but the replacement was lost during launch and it would not be replaced until 1994, when it was replaced by Galaxy 1RR.
The Home Box Office signal on transponder 23 of Galaxy 1 was interrupted during the infamous Captain Midnight attack
Captain Midnight (HBO)
John R. MacDougall also known as Captain Midnight, is a Florida electronic engineer and business owner who jammed HBO's satellite signal in 1986 to broadcast a message protesting their rates for satellite dish owners.- Scrambling :...
on April 27, 1986. The attack was directed towards HBO for their adoption of the Videocipher
Videocipher
VideoCipher is a brand name of analog scrambling and de-scrambling equipment for cable and satellite television invented primarily to keep consumer Television receive-only satellite equipment from receiving TV programing except on a subscription basis. It was invented in 1983 by Linkabit...
system and for charging high prices for access to the HBO and Cinemax
Cinemax
Cinemax, sometimes abbreviated as simply "Max", is a collection of premium television networks that broadcasts primarily feature films, along with softcore erotica, original action series, documentaries and special behind-the-scenes features. Cinemax is operated by Home Box Office, Inc., a...
services with that system.