Syncom 2 Satellite Photography

Three publicity prints of a child dressed in a cowboy costume looking up at the Syncom 2 in 1963.

Meredith K. Eick, after serving as a Navy Aviation Electronic Technician Mate 3rd Class in World War II and obtaining a master's in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota, moved to California in 1955 and began a 35-year career at Hughes Aircraft Company as an electrical engineer and a chief scientist. As part of the Space and Communications Group, Eick worked with Dr. Harold Rosen, Donald Williams, and Tom Hudspeth contributing to many satellites including Syncom 2. Syncom, also known as Synchronous Communication Satellite, began in 1961 as a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) program. With development and manufacturing completed by Hughes Aircraft Company, Syncom 2 launched on July 26, 1963, becoming the first geosynchronous satellite in orbit. It enabled live two-way voice and teletype communication between continents and demonstrated its potential for worldwide connectivity. As a revolutionary advancement in global communication, the satellite captivated public interest and gained media attention. For publicity in 1963, photographer Jim Dell captured this time of excitement and wonder by photographing Syncom 2 with Kevin Eick, son of Meredith K. Eick, dressed in a cowboy costume.