Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS system data and determine therefrom a rendezvous between marine vessels which pass within a threshold distance for greater than a threshold time.

Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the RF transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS data, process aerial marine imagery using a fractal algorithm to assign respective vessel classifications to a plurality of marine vessels, and correlate the vessel classifications with AIS data.

Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may be configured to obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the RF transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS system data, receive social media data, and determine expected passenger lists for the marine vessels based upon the AIS data and social media data.

Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS system data and determine therefrom a rendezvous between marine vessels which pass within a threshold distance for greater than a threshold time.

Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the RF transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS data, process aerial marine imagery using a fractal algorithm to assign respective vessel classifications to a plurality of marine vessels, and correlate the vessel classifications with AIS data.

Abstract: A system for monitoring marine vessels using a satellite network may include a plurality of satellite payloads to be carried by respective satellites. Each satellite payload may include a communications interface configured to communicate via the satellite network, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to communicate with the plurality of marine vessels, and a controller cooperating with the communications interface and the RF transceiver. The controller may be configured to obtain automatic identification system (AIS) data including vessel position and call sign information via the RF transceiver, and communicate the AIS system data via the communications interface. The system may further include a terrestrial station configured to receive the AIS system data, receive social media data, and determine expected passenger lists for the marine vessels based upon the AIS data and social media data.