Norways AISSat-1 satellite starts mission

AISSat-1 is an experimental satellite that receives and forwards AIS messages from ships. The technology will, in the fully-developed system, improve safety at sea for vessels in Norwegian waters. It will make it easier to identify and coordinate vessels in search and rescue operations as well as assist and monitor the transport of dangerous goods and cargo.

AIS land stations receive VHF signals from ships at a distance of up to about 40 nautical miles from the coast. Norway operates a chain of 39 coastal land based stations, and most other coastal states operate or deploy similar chains. The AISSat technology has the capability of substantially expanding the effective range of ship AIS position monitoring.