Marisat 1 Explained

Marisat 1
Mission Type:Communications
Operator:COMSAT[1]Inmarsat
Cospar Id:1976-017A
Satcat:08697
Mission Duration:21 years
Spacecraft Type:HS-356
Manufacturer:Hughes
Bol Mass:362kg (798lb)
Launch Mass:665kg (1,466lb)
Launch Date: UTC[2]
Launch Rocket:Delta 2914
Launch Site:Cape Canaveral LC-17B
Orbit Epoch:February 19, 1976
Orbit Reference:Geocentric
Orbit Regime:Geostationary
Orbit Apoapsis:35703km (22,185miles)
Orbit Periapsis:35867km (22,287miles)
Orbit Inclination:2.4°
Orbit Period:1,436.1 minutes
Orbit Eccentricity:0.00195
Orbit Longitude:105° W
Apsis:gee
Trans Band:1 L band, 1 C band and 3 UHF
Programme:Marisat
Previous Mission:None
Next Mission:Marisat 2

Marisat 1 (or Marisat F1) is a communications satellite operated by COMSAT. Marisat 1 was the first of a series of Marisat COMSAT maritime communications satellites.

Satellite

The spacecraft was capable of transmitting voice, data, facsimile and telex messages to and from ships at sea through special shore stations at Southbury, Connecticut and Saint Paul, CA, which were interconnected with existing domestic terrestrial networks. The system was initially utilized primarily by the U.S. Navy, with a limited amount of satellite capacity provided in different frequency bands (L band), through separate satellite transponders, for maritime communications services to commercial entities and other interested users. At such time as the Navy's requirements terminate (late 1970s) substantial satellite capacity will become available for commercial maritime purposes. Following launch, satellite operation was nominal. It was placed in geosynchronous orbit at 15 degrees west and using propulsion FW-5.

Launch

Marisat 1 was launched by a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 22:32 UTC on February 19, 1976.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marisat 1, 2, 3 . Gunter . Krebs . Gunter's Space Page . May 23, 2017.
  2. Web site: Launch Log. Jonathan. McDowell. Jonathan's Space Page. May 23, 2017.
  3. Web site: Marisat 1. NSSDC Master Catalog. May 23, 2017.