Commercial launch services are used to place satellites in their respective orbits. Launch services represent, by far, the most lucrative aspect of the launch-for-hire business. The European Space Agency (ESA), United States, Russia, People's Republic of China, India, and some international organizations supply or plan to supply launch vehicles for the purpose of placing satellites in orbit. Although the majority of launch vehicles are used for broadcast satellites, satellites are also launched for wireless telephony. For example, the mobile communications systems Globalstar and Iridium Satellite LLC are cell phone satellite networks for global use.

A Delta rocket lifts off at Cape Kennedy carrying the world's first commercial communications satellite, Early Bird. The satellite, launched in 1965, was intended to operate as a switchboard relaying radio, television, teletype, and telephone messages between North America and Europe.

Europe

By 2000 the ESA's Arianespace Consortium had 125 launchings of orbit communications satellites...