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Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
01:29:00
Sunday December 20, 1981
Flight L04.
The MARECS (Maritime European Communications satellite) satellites were members of Inmarsat's first-generation global maritime communications 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. ESA operates MARECS for Inmarsat.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
1,050 kilograms
CAT-4 is an Italian payload used to control the proper operation of the launcher and to send the flight parameters to the engineers. It worked perfectly well.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
217 kilograms
4th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 1981
4th
Mission
2nd
Mission of 1981
125th
Orbital launch attempt