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MARECS

Spacecraft · Europe

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Geostationary maritime communications satellites, which form part of INMARSAT's world-wide maritime communications satellite network. The program began as the experimental Maritime Orbital Test Satellite (Marots) in 1973, but was subsequently changed to an operational system resulting in a name change, a satellite redesign, and delayed development. Marecs is operated by ESA for Inmarsat.

More at: MARECS.

Related

Country
Europe
Spacecraft
Sirio, ECS/OTS
Launch Vehicles
Ariane 1, Ariane 3
Launch Sites
Kourou
Agency
ESA
Bibliography
12790

Chronology

3 events

1981 December 20

01:29 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA1. LV Family: Ariane. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1.
  • MARECS 1 - . Payload: MARECS A. Mass: 582 kg (1,283 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Completed Operations Date: 1996-08-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 13010 . COSPAR: 1981-122A. Apogee: 37,858 km (23,523 mi). Perigee: 36,782 km (22,855 mi). Inclination: 10.80 deg. Period: 1,515.20 min.

    MARECS-A was a geostationary maritime communications satellite, which formed part of INMARSAT's world-wide maritime communications satellite network. MARECS-A moved to a new position on the geostationary orbit. Old position: 334E. New position: 22.5 E. The Marecs satellites were members of Inmarsat's first generation global maritime communications network. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 26 deg W in 1982-1986; 178 deg E in 1986-1991; 20 deg E in 1991-1992; 22 deg E in 1992-1996 As of 1 September 2001 located at 11.08 deg W drifting at 18.839 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 168.28W drifting at 18.837W degrees per day. Additional Details: here....

1982 September 9

02:12 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA1. LV Family: Ariane. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. FAILURE: Stage 3 turbopump.. Failed Stage: U.
  • MARECS B - . Payload: MARECS B. Mass: 1,490 kg (3,280 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Decay Date: 1982-09-10 . Marecs B intended for maritime communications, planned for lease to Inmarsat; launched with Sirio 2. Geosynch orbit..
  • Sirio 2 - . Payload: Sirio 2. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Spacecraft: SIRIO.

1984 November 10

01:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA1. LV Family: Ariane. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 3.
  • MARECS 2 - . Payload: MARECS B2. Mass: 563 kg (1,241 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. USAF Sat Cat: 15386 . COSPAR: 1984-114B. Apogee: 37,544 km (23,328 mi). Perigee: 36,556 km (22,714 mi). Inclination: 9.90 deg. Period: 1,501.10 min.

    Stationed at 177.5 deg E; maritime communications; leased by Inmarsat. Geostationary position 177.5 deg E. MARECS PAC 1 is a geostationary maritime mobile communication satellite which will form part of the INMARSAT world-wide maritime communication satellite network. 1985 Jul 1. Move to a new position. Old position: 177.5E. New position: 345 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 177 deg E in 1984-1986; 26 deg W in 1986-1990; 55 deg W in 1990-1992; 15 deg W in 1992-1997; 26 deg W in 1997-on. As of 4 September 2001 located at 25.98 deg W drifting at 0.006 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 105.63W drifting at 15.647W degrees per day.