29 July 2025 year Norwegian Space Agency (OUR) entered into a contract with SFL Missions (Canada) on the development of Aissat-4 nanoputation to track ships with a launch within a year. The mission is aimed at expanding the capabilities of the Norwegian Maritime Situation Network, Since the life of available satellites is coming to an end.
Technical characteristics of AISSat-4
AISSat-4 is based on SFL's SPARTAN 6U platform, which has proven its reliability thanks to 18 commercial communication satellites, launched earlier. The satellite is equipped with a single payload – a miniature Automatic Identification System receiver (AIS), developed by Kongsberg Seatex (Trondheim, Norway). AISSat-4 is capable of capturing up to 1,5 million unique AIS signals every day, even in crowded sea lanes, which provides real-time vessel monitoring.
SFL's vertically integrated structure allows for faster development, testing and deployment. The SPARTAN platform uses proven hardware and software solutions, easily adapting to the AIS receiver and antennas, which ensures the execution of the contract in a short period of time.
Meaning for Norway
Norway, led by NOSA and the Norwegian Coastal Administration, operates one of the world's most advanced space-based maritime surveillance systems to protect vessels and resources in its territorial waters, extending to 2,2 million km². AISSat-4 will support the Blue Justice Ocean Surveillance program, launched in September 2023 year, which aggregates AIS data to combat illegal fishing and maritime crime internationally.
History of the Norwegian AIS program
Norwegian program of space monitoring of ships, developed jointly with SFL, covers eight satellites per 15 years:
- AISSat-1 (2010): 7-kg nanosatellite, which proved the possibility of detecting AIS signals from orbit, worked 12 years.
- AISSat-2 (2014): Analogue of AISSat-1, functioned 9 years.
- NorSat-1 and -2 (2017): Equipped with advanced AIS receivers from Kongsberg Seatex, NorSat-1 had two scientific instruments, NorSat-2 tested VHF data exchange.
- NorSat-3 (2021): Included a radar navigation detector to complement AIS.
- NorSat-TD (2023): Technological demonstrator with advanced AIS receivers.
- NorSat-4 (January 2025): Equipped with a fifth-generation AIS receiver and a camera for shooting in low-light conditions, launched on SpaceX Transporter-12.
AISSat-4 will focus exclusively on collecting AIS data, strengthening the legacy of the Norwegian maritime surveillance system.
Context and perspectives
SFL Missions, a division of the Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto, has 27 years of development experience 86 micro- and nanosatellites with a total time of operation in orbit over 360 years. Their platforms, including SPARTAN and DEFIANT, known for advanced power systems, accurate orientation control and high data throughput at low cost. AISSat-4 will be the ninth satellite, developed by SFL for Norway, which emphasizes a strong partnership.
Launch of AISSat-4, scheduled until July 2026 year, probably, will take place on the SpaceX Transporter mission, given the previous launches of Norwegian satellites. The contract strengthens SFL's position in the NewSpace field, where the demand for economic solutions is growing. The Blue Justice program will also receive additional data for cooperation with countries, such as Indonesia and Peru, in the fight against illegal fishing.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com