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Geostar Corporation began in 1983, intent on providing tracking services with Radio Determination Satellite Service (RDSS) technology. Similar to GPS, RDSS uses satellites to provide locating information. Initially a small entrepreneurial company, Geostar had large goals and high hopes for the future. From the beginning, however, Geostar faced many conflicts and problems which eventually proved to be fatal for this fledgling company. In 1985, the founder of Geostar, Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill, was diagnosed with leukemia. Following his recovery, a disagreement over proxies arose between O'Neill and his company, and a lawsuit ensued. Despite managerial and other internal conflicts, Geostar persisted. After two failed attempts to launch a satellite, Geostar faced severe financial concerns and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1991. Geostar was a pioneer in using satellites to provide accurate tracking and locating services, and made significant contributions to the further development of this field.

 Identifier

NASM.2006.0049

Creator

Geostar Corporation

Date

bulk 1983-1991

Provenance

Scott Sacknoff, Gift, 2005

Extent

5.26 Cubic feet ((5 boxes))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of Geostar's business records. Included here is information on RDSS as well as Geostar's agreements and relationships with various organizations including NASA, CAST, AMSC, QUALCOMM, and LOCSTAR. The types of materials present here include correspondence, articles, press releases, presentations, FCC filings, reports, programs, agreements, and financial data

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Geostar Corporation Records, Accession number 2006-0049, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Artificial satellites

Radio Determination Satellite Service (RDSS) technology

Astronautics

Space industrialization

Periodicals

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Technical manuals

Press releases

Financial records