# AISat

> German maritime traffic monitoring microsatellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111471728](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471728)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aisat

## Summary  
AISat is a German microsatellite designed to monitor global maritime traffic by receiving Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals from ships. Launched in 2014, it was developed and is operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). As a specialized AIS satellite, AISat enhances vessel tracking capabilities from space.

## Key Facts  
- **Launched:** June 30, 2014 at 04:22 UTC  
- **Operator & Manufacturer:** German Aerospace Center (DLR)  
- **Launch Site:** Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad, India  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C23)  
- **Mass:** 14 kilograms  
- **Orbit:** Sun-synchronous orbit  
- **Power Source:** Solar cell panels  
- **Primary Payload:** Radio receiver (specifically an AIS receiver)  
- **Country of Origin:** Germany  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2014-034B  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is AISat used for?  
A: AISat monitors maritime traffic by collecting Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals transmitted by ships worldwide. This supports applications such as maritime safety, surveillance, and environmental protection.

### Q: Who built and operates AISat?  
A: The satellite was built and is operated by the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), based in Cologne, Germany.

### Q: How was AISat launched into space?  
A: AISat was launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India on June 30, 2014.

## Why It Matters  
AISat plays a crucial role in enhancing global maritime domain awareness by capturing Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals from ships across remote and coastal regions. Traditional terrestrial AIS receivers have limited range, especially over open oceans, but satellites like AISat extend coverage globally. This capability improves navigation safety, aids search-and-rescue operations, combats illegal fishing, and supports maritime security efforts. As one of the early dedicated AIS satellites, AISat also represents a milestone in the development of small satellite technology for Earth observation and communication relay purposes.

## Notable For  
- One of the first dedicated microsatellites optimized specifically for AIS signal reception  
- Developed entirely in-house by the German Aerospace Center (DLR)  
- Lightweight design weighing only 14 kg, demonstrating efficient use of microsatellite platforms  
- Successfully demonstrated continuous monitoring of ship movements from low Earth orbit  
- Utilizes a sun-synchronous orbit ideal for consistent Earth observation conditions  

## Body  
### Overview  
AISat is a microsatellite developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) with the primary objective of detecting and processing Automatic Identification System (AIS) messages transmitted by seafaring vessels. These messages are typically sent by ships for collision avoidance and maritime traffic management.

### Mission Objectives  
The mission aimed to test the feasibility of using small satellites for wide-area maritime surveillance via AIS signals. By placing a receiver in low Earth orbit, AISat extends the reach of AIS beyond the horizon limitations faced by ground-based systems.

### Design and Specifications  
- **Mass:** 14 kg  
- **Power Supply:** Equipped with solar cell panels  
- **Payload:** Dedicated AIS receiver capable of demodulating multiple overlapping AIS signals  
- **Structure:** Miniaturized platform typical of microsatellites under 100–200 kg class  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** June 30, 2014  
- **Time:** 04:22 UTC  
- **Vehicle:** Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C23)  
- **Site:** Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad, India  
- **Co-passengers:** Part of a multi-satellite launch including several other nanosatellites  

### Orbit and Operations  
- **Orbital Type:** Sun-synchronous orbit  
- **Purpose:** Enables regular revisits to areas of interest and stable lighting conditions for onboard sensors  
- **Mission Status:** Operational post-launch, fulfilling its experimental and operational goals  

### Operator  
Operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), headquartered in Cologne, Germany. DLR has been instrumental in advancing small satellite technologies and their application in Earth observation and communication systems.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "AISat",
  "description": "German maritime traffic monitoring microsatellite",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40054"
  ],
  "additionalType": "AIS satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/aisat.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report