ECS and MARECS
Based on the OTS experience, ESA developed and launched the European Communications Satellite (ECS) and the Maritime ECS (MARECS) in the early 1980's. These assets were later transferred or leased to the EUTELSAT and INMARSAT organizations, respectively. In all, six satellites of this class were successfully launched under sponsorship of ESA during the period 1981 - 1988, and at the end of 1994 five were still in active or reserve status.
MARECS spacecraft are roughly 0.55 metric tons on-station and have a design life of 7 years, although both deployed MARECS vehicles have exceeded that goal. The primary payload consists of 6/4 GHz and 1.6/1.5 GHz transponders for fixed and mobile users, respectively. Only three MARECS spacecraft were built, and the second, MARECS B1, was lost in a launch accident in 1982.
At the end of 1994 MARECS A was no longer in service but was the subject of mobile communications testing near 22.5 degrees E. (Reference 2). MARECS B2 continues to support INMARSAT from its location at 15.2 degrees W (Atlantic Ocean East region).
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