Abstract: A spaced-based system is provided to simultaneously track and monitor one or more ocean going vessels at any point on the earth. The system includes a plurality of space vehicles or satellites each satellite includes an AIS communications payload to receive AIS signals including AIS information transmitted from the one or more vessels and to transmit the received AIS information. The system also includes a plurality of ground earth elements. Each ground earth element includes a receiver to receive the AIS information transmitted from one or more of the plurality of satellites to globally track and monitor the one or more vessels based on the AIS information received from the communications payload. The plurality of satellites are distributed in two or more orbital planes located at a substantially common altitude and having a substantially common inclination. In particular, the satellites may be deployed in a low earth orbit constellation.

Abstract: An automatic identification system (AIS) communications payload for a space vehicle traveling in earth orbit includes an antenna; a receiver connected to the antenna to receive an AIS signal including a reported vessel position transmitted from a vessel; a processor to process the received AIS messages and determine the accuracy of the reported vessel position; and a transmitter to transmit the processed AIS messages and the determined accuracy to a ground earth element. The processor may be configured to determine a position of the space vehicle; compare the reported vessel position to the space vehicle position; and determine the accuracy of the reported vessel position based on the comparison. The processor also may be configured to flag the AIS message as suspect when the reported vessel position is determined to be inaccurate.

Abstract: An automatic identification system (AIS) communications payload for a space vehicle traveling in earth orbit includes an antenna; a receiver connected to the antenna to receive an AIS signal including a reported vessel position transmitted from a vessel; a processor to process the received AIS messages and determine the accuracy of the reported vessel position; and a transmitter to transmit the processed AIS messages and the determined accuracy to a ground earth element. The processor may be configured to determine a position of the space vehicle; compare the reported vessel position to the space vehicle position; and determine the accuracy of the reported vessel position based on the comparison. The processor also may be configured to flag the AIS message as suspect when the reported vessel position is determined to be inaccurate.

Abstract: A spaced-based system is provided to simultaneously track and monitor one or more ocean going vessels at any point on the earth. The system includes a plurality of space vehicles or satellites. Each satellite includes an AIS communications payload to receive AIS signals including AIS information transmitted from the one or more vessels and to transmit the received AIS information. The system also includes a plurality of ground earth elements. Each ground earth element includes a receiver to receive the AIS information transmitted from one or more of the plurality of satellites to globally track and monitor the one or more vessels based on the AIS information received from the communications payload. The plurality of satellites are distributed in two or more orbital planes located at a substantially common altitude and having a substantially common inclination. In particular, the satellites may be deployed in a low earth orbit constellation.