Some results of these tests , Dominic 's 1962 Starfish Prime test in particular , presented concerns throughout the program 's existence . In addition to the widespread effects of the nuclear explosion 's electromagnetic pulse , which inadvertently damaged many satellites as well as land based electronics as far as 1500 km away , a large amount of charged particle radiation was released by the nuclear explosion . This radiation became trapped by the Earth 's magnetic field , creating artificial belts of radiation 100 to 1,000 times stronger than background levels . The heightened levels of radiation eventually crippled one-third of all satellites in low orbit , while rendering seven others completely useless , including the first commercial communication satellite ever , Telstar
Starfish Prime
Starfish Prime
Program 437