[shaneos]

All satellites for many years were only launched as part of the space race between the US and the USSR. Of course there would be no satellite communication without the space program.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_1

[nandemo]

But cell phones aren't satellite phones. Am I missing something? Do cellular networks rely on satellites indirectly?

I'm not talking about GPS, which isn't an essential feature of cell phones.

[takeda]

Yes, satellites can be used when you're making a long distance calls.