INMARSAT OPERATIONS AFTER 10 YEARS

The INMARSAT system is comprised of three main components: satellites provided by the INMARSAT organization and in geostationary orbit 36,000 km above the equator; coast earth stations owned and operated by the signatory countries--who, by late 1989, had grown to 54 from their original 26; and ship earth stations owned or leased by system users. The system is a key element in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). The operation of INMARSAT is explained, and developments that are underway or planned to enhance or expand operations and coverage are reviewed. These include additional satellites, enhanced group calling (EGC), and wider service to the aeronautical community and land mobile satellite services. A table shows what it would cost to equip an oceangoing ship to use the system in any one of three optional configurations with increasingly sophisticated transmission capabilities.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02688662
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Journal article
• Authors:
  • Fear, J L
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Pagination: 3 p.
• Serial:
  • Shipbuilding Technology International (UK)
  • ISSN: 0268-8662

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: History; Satellite communication
• Old TRIS Terms: Global maritime distress and safety system; Inmarsat; System descriptions
• Subject Areas: History; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00657570
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Technical Information Facility
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 21 1994 12:00AM