[originaltext] People in most countries depend on communications technology

People in most countries depend on communications technology more than ever before. One day in May, an accident forced millions of Americans to be silent. They had to live and work without the technology they depend on every day.
    A telecommunication satellite experienced computer failure. The satellite, known as Galaxy Four, moved from its correct orbit and was unable to receive signals from Earth. A backup computer failed to turn on, and the satellite began to spin out of control.
    Galaxy Four was launched in 1993. It cost two hundred fifty million dollars. Galaxy Four provided the major link for millions of pagers, credit card operations, company communications systems, and home satellite equipment. The satellite also was used to send television and radio broadcasts.
    The telecommunication satellite failure created big problems for many companies. At least eight of the nation’s ten biggest paging companies depend on Galaxy Four. A pager is an electronic device that receives telephone messages. The pager makes a beeping sound when it receives one. Ninety percent of the nation’s forty-five million pagers lost service when Galaxy Four failed. Paging companies were unable to provide services to police department, doctors and other individuals.
    The satellite failure affected many television and radio broadcasts. Thousands of computer users were unable to use the Internet.
    A nearby satellite called Galaxy Six has replaced the Galaxy Four satellite. Signals for broadcasting companies are being sent through Galaxy Six. Another satellite, Galaxy Three-R, is replacing Galaxy Four for paging and other signals. Technical experts had to move each person’s satellite equipment to point to Galaxy Three-R. Each move takes about thirty minutes. Technicians say the moves must be exact to within less than a centimeter. They were able to restore service to most customers within a few days.