AAC Clyde Space wins ESA contract to complete maritime-monitoring constellation

AAC Clyde Space is developing the INFLECION constellation for maritime domain awareness. Credit: AAC Clyde Space

SAN FRANCISCO – The European Space Agency awarded AAC Clyde Space a 10.9 million euro ($12.6 million) contract to complete development and demonstrate VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) satellites for the Inflecion maritime domain awareness program.

With the 12-satellite Inflecion constellation, AAC Clyde is developing a low-cost approach to detecting, tracking and monitoring maritime vessels, including ships that turn off their automated identification system (AIS) transponders.

“We combine synthetic aperture radar [SAR] with signals intelligence, and then we use the VHS Data Exchange System that is AIS compatible to communicate with the ships and with the authorities,” AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes told SpaceNews.

Since VDES enables two-way communication, “we will be able to challenge ships to identify themselves,” Gomes said. “The system allows you to do that kind of verification and authentication of shipping.”