Inmarsat program

INMARSAT / UK

INternational MARitime SATellite

Inmarsat was created by the International Maritim Organization (dependent of the United Nations) on 16 Jul 1979. It is based in London and started working on 1 Feb 1982. Inmarsat must provide links between maritime mobiles and ground networks using geostationary satellites. The services are telephone, telex, fax and an access to the emergency system Sarsat/Cospas.

Inmarsat's structure is close to Intelsat's one. It isn't dominated by the United States which enabled USSR to join in.

The organization gathered 48 members in 1986 and 64 in 1991. The first operational system opened in 1985. Transponders were leased on 6 satellites: Marisat, Marecs and Intelsat. With the success encountered Inmarsat decided in 1983 to operate its own satellites.

Over 20 ground stations have been installed and in 1992 over 15000 terminals had been sold. The states that mostly participate in the funding are the United States, Norway, the UK and Japan.
Inmarsat is also working on aeronautical links and a project of personnal communication medium. Inmarsat might develop low orbit satellites on polar orbits to cover Northern and Southern regions.

Once the 3rd generation is fully deployed the 2nd generation satellites should be moved by 40° off their current position to allow frequency reuse. This would let Inmarsat offer new, long term services. Slots at 110°E and 98°W should be used.

Inmarsat should be privatized in March 1999. An intergovernmental body called International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) should be created to manage the public service obligations (mainly the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)). A private entity should control the rest of the activity.

Ref: #15 - update: 29.11.10