Page 24 - Italy In Space

Positioning, navigation and timing

December 20, 1981. MARECS A was launched from Kourou through the fourth Ariane 1 rocket.
Marecs were European geostationary maritime communications satellites – based on the OTS
platform, and operated by ESA – which took part in the INMARSAT's world-wide maritime
communications satellite network. MARECS structure was designed and produced by Aeritalia in
Italy. The satellite was then integrated in Germany. Commemorative cover postmarked on the day of
launch with standard Kourou manual postmark.

MARECS satellites were conceived for communications with mobile stations, especially ships at sea.
European telecommunication satellites were supported by a wide network of tracking stations. Cover
serviced by the ESA Spanish tracking station and canceled on January 4, 1982.

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