MARCES-1 & CAT-4

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

01:29:00

Sunday December 20, 1981

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight L04.

MARCES 1

Wiki

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

Wiki

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

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 1

Active 1979 to 1986

European Space Agency logo

Agency

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 47.4m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 4,850 kg

GTO: 1,850 kg

Liftoff Thrust

2,772 Kilonewtons

Stages

4

Launch Site

ELA-1

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

55 days 10 hours

Stats

Ariane 1


4th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1981

European Space Agency


4th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1981

1981


125th

Orbital launch attempt