European satellite television plans started in the late 1960s, when plans were first laid for an experimental satellite. The Orbital Test Satellite was launched using the Delta rocket (then manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing) in May 1978 and allowed the necessary testing to allow for Europe's first commercial venture in telecommunications and television. From 1978 to 1981, OTS was successful in illustrating the viability of Ku-Band technology for the continent of Europe. Following the completion of its test programme, excess transponder capacity was leased to SATV. While governments in Britain and other European countries wrestled with the allocation of their channels, Satellite Television played a pioneering role, providing Europe's first satellite-delivered cable television service.