Outline of a forward-looking maritime mobile satellite system

The paper outlines the Maritime Orbital Test Satellite (Marots) system with reference to the frequency spectrum allocated for its use. The communications capacity is reviewed in terms of shore-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore-to-shore directions. Requirements for system access, channel assignment, signalling, and telegraph transmission are identified and procedures for frequency control, up-path power control, and system supervision are reported. The satellite design, based on the Orbital Test Satellite, consists of a service module and a communications module. Communication responders include forward, return, and shore-to-shore transponders as well as telemetry tracking and command devices. Ground-based satellite control facilities are described noting shore stations and ship terminals.