Bell System's experiments with Telstar I and II in early '60s proved feasibility of transmitting all kinds of communications via satellite and paved way to commercial service.

Telstar was the first active communications satellite, the first satellite designed to transmit telephone and high-speed data communications, as well as the first privately owned satellite. Its name is used to this day for a number of television broadcasting satellites.

"Telstar" was a 1962 instrumental record by The Tornados. It was the first record by a British group to go to number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Telstar provided by Adidas was the official match ball of 1970 FIFA World Cup and 1974 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico and West Germany.