ICAO Journal

No. 12

The European Space Agency employed Ariane L04 to launch the Marecs-A special-purpose communication satellite into a geostationary orbit over the Atlantic Ocean on 20 December 1981. Marecs-A is leased to the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) to provide efficient long range telecommunications for shipping and off-shore industries. It could also be used for initial experimental use for aeronautical communications, before INMARSAT begins operations with its new series of space vehicles in 1988.