The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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ESA's two Marecs were Europe's first maritime communications satellites. Launched in December 1981 and November 1984, they served with Inmarsat until mid-1991 and end-1996, respectively, providing maritime users with reliable voice, telex, fax and data links. With 5-year design lives, Marecs-A retired in 1991, but Marecs-B2 in 1998 continued providing services leased to Italy's Nuovo Telespazio. [Image Date: 1991/04] [91.04.001-022]