Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Manufacturer:
Hughes Aircraft Co.  Search this
Materials:
Plastic, steel, aluminum alloy, nickel alloy, paper, paint
Dimensions:
3-D: 18.4 × 8.9 × 8.9cm (7 1/4 × 3 1/2 × 3 1/2 in.)
Type:
MODELS-Uncrewed Spacecraft & Parts
Country of Origin:
United States of America
Summary:
The Marisat series of communications satellites, launched during 1976, consisted of three geostationary spacecraft designed to provide multiband communications between seaborne vessels and shore stations. The three satellites, placed in equatorial orbits over the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, provided communications over most of the world's water surface (except near the poles).
COMSAT developed Marisat, primarliy to meet needs of the United States Navy but also to serve commercial users.
Marisat operated until mid-1983. Marisat 2 (Pacific) remained widely used for another few years to meet special requirements of Pacific Ocean Naval communications. At end of its operating life, the system supported communications to more than 1,000 vessels, enabling access to navigational and meteorological data as well as general news.
Hughes Aircraft donated this 1/24 scale model to the Museum in 1975.
Credit Line:
Gift of Hughes Aircraft Co.
Inventory Number:
A19750775000
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location:
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition:
One World Connected
Data Source:
National Air and Space Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9cf760f26-635a-48f6-ab46-a03f0798cab8
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nasm_A19750775000