Launched on November 15, 1974, OSCAR-7, a microsatellite, continues its mission 50 years after its launch, serving as a vital asset for amateur radio operators globally. It holds the title of the oldest operational satellite, predating the launch of NASA's Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 by three years. OSCAR-7 belongs to a series of amateur radio satellites known as OSCARs (Orbital Satellites Carrying Amateur Radio), built by volunteers from the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Many of these contributors have affiliations with significant U.S. space organizations such as the Goddard Space Flight Center. AMSAT's innovation led to the novel use of secondary payloads to stabilize the center of gravity during launches. Despite being constructed primarily on basement workbenches by AMSAT volunteers, OSCAR-7 had to meet rigorous space-readiness standards to be integrated alongside the primary payload, NOAA-4/ITOS-G. Engineered with CMOS technology, OSCAR-7 was initially projected by NASA engineers to last just one to three years due to its non-radiation-hardened components. However, the satellite not only outlasted its expected lifespan but also contributed notable advancements. It enabled early ground-to-satellite-to-satellite-to-ground communications by orbiting close to its predecessor, OSCAR-6, facilitating unique message relays between satellites.