Marisat 1

Mission type	Communications
Operator	COMSAT[1]→Inmarsat
COSPAR ID	1976-017A
SATCAT no.	08697
Mission duration	21 years
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft type	HS-356
Manufacturer	Hughes
Launch mass	665.0 kg (1,466.1 lb)
BOL mass	362 kg (798 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	February 19, 1976, 22:32 (1976-02-19UTC22:32Z) UTC[2]
Rocket	Delta 2914
Launch site	Cape Canaveral LC-17B
End of mission
Deactivated	April 1, 1997 (1997-05)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	105° W
Eccentricity	0.00195[3]
Perigee altitude	35,867 kilometres (22,287 mi)[3]
Apogee altitude	35,703 kilometres (22,185 mi)[3]
Inclination	2.4°[3]
Period	1,436.1 minutes[3]
Epoch	February 19, 1976[3]
Transponders
Band	1 L band, 1 C band and 3 UHF
Marisat ← None Marisat 2 →

Marisat 1 (or Marisat F1) is a communications satellite operated by COMSAT. Marisat 1 was the first of a series of Marisat COMSAT maritime communications satellites.

The spacecraft was capable of transmitting voice, data, facsimile and Telex messages to and from ships at sea through special shore stations at Southbury, Connecticut and Saint Paul, CA, which were interconnected with existing domestic terrestrial networks. The system was initially utilized primarily by the U.S. Navy, with a limited amount of satellite capacity provided in different frequency bands (L band), through separate satellite transponders, for maritime communications services to commercial entities and other interested users. At such time as the Navy's requirements terminate (late 1970s) substantial satellite capacity will become available for commercial maritime purposes. Following launch, satellite operation was nominal. It was placed in geosynchronous orbit at 15 degrees west and using propulsion FW-5.

Marisat 1 was launched by a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 22:32 UTC on February 19, 1976.^[3]

• 1976 in spaceflight