In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of MARECS, exploring its origins, evolution and relevance today. From its beginnings to the present, MARECS has played a fundamental role in various areas, impacting the lives of millions of people around the world. Along these lines, we will unravel the most relevant aspects related to MARECS, analyzing its influence on society, culture and science. Likewise, we will examine the various perspectives and opinions that exist around MARECS, in order to provide a comprehensive and enriching vision on this topic.
| Country/ies of origin | United Kingdom (UK) |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Inmarsat (MARECS-B licensed to Nuovo Telespazio) |
| Type | Navigation Satellite |
| Status | Decommissioned |
| Coverage | Global |
| Constellation size | |
| First launch | 20th December 1981 |
| Last launch | 10th November 1984 |
| Total launches | 3 (1 launch failure - MARECS-B) |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Orbital height | geosynchronous orbit |
| Website | https://www.inmarsat.com/en/index.html |
MARECS was a version of the European Space Agency's ECS communications satellite, adapted for maritime communications. It was used by Inmarsat.
MARECS A was launched in 1981 and placed over the Atlantic Ocean. It was deactivated in August 1996.
MARECS B was lost due to launch problems in 1982, while MARECS B2 (also known as MARECS C) was launched in 1984 and placed over the Pacific Ocean. MARECS B2/C was active until 2002.
They were among Europe's first telecommunications satellites.