Norway's AISSat -1 Satellite Starts Mission

AISSat-1 is equipped with technology developed and built in cooperation between the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, Kongsberg Seatex, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Space Centre. It is financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry. Kongsberg Satellite Services' ground station at Svalbard is used for communication. 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 in the high north.

"The satellite is an example on how the long term focus on Norwegian expertise creates good, innovative high technology solutions, tailor made for Norwegian conditions," said Trond Giske, Minister of Trade and Industry at a press conference earlier this year.

AISSat-1 was launched in an Indian PSLV rocket from Sriharikota in India 12 July 03:52 UTC. The satellite is placed in a polar orbit with an altitude of approximately 635 kilometres. The satellite is of nano type, and measures 20 x 20 x 20 cm. It weighs six kilograms and is shaped like a cube.
Automatic Identification System (AIS) is required to be carried on all seagoing vessels of 300 gross tons or more and all passenger vessels. Its purpose is to assist the ship navigational watch to avoid collision with other vessels as well as to allow maritime authorities to track and monitor ship movements through operation of land based AIS stations.

"Norway and Kongsberg have been at the forefront with leading technology and solutions within this area of expertise. We are therefore very pleased to have the opportunity to provide the AIS payload for AISSat-1. The AISSat programme fits very well with our mission to provide the best solutions to our customers for safe navigation, positioning and operation in demanding offshore and maritime applications. The High North is such a demanding application area," says Gard Ueland, President of Kongsberg Seatex AS.

The land stations can in general receive VHF signals from ships at a distance of up to 40 nautical miles off the coast. Norway is operating a chain of 39 land based stations along its coast, and most coastal states are operating or deploying such chains. The AISSat technology has the capability of substantially expanding the effective range of ship AIS position monitoring.