NUS launches microsatellite to test VDES technology

The VDES payload carried by Lumelite-4 has several advantages over the current AIS system. Greater bandwidth, range, accuracy, capacity, security, flexibility and global coverage, giving maritime operators a more potent tool to improve communications and operational efficiency.

Potential applications of VDES include real-time maritime traffic and asset tracking as well as two-way messaging, in contrast to the one-way reporting supported by AIS. Designed by A*STAR’s I2R, the VDES payload can reduce signal interference and increase tracking capability in a dense environment, and has low-complexity radio resource management.

A*STAR’s I2R and ST Engineering previously developed the VDES Mobile Station, which can achieve up to a 32-times higher data rate than the current AIS system. Supported by terrestrial VDES, the VDES Mobile Station enables higher data throughput and higher quality data delivery among ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore two-way communications.

The latest satellite VDES complements the terrestrial VDES, to enable a more robust maritime communications service, allowing vessel tracking not just in coastal areas but also in high seas and in areas without a terrestrial network.

The NUS and A*STAR team started working on the Lumelite-4 project in December 2018, and recently completed the design, assembly, integration and testing of Lumelite-4 with VDES payload.

STAR director, Professor Low Kay Soon said, “Over the next few months, the team aims to demonstrate the space-based implementation of high performance VDES on a small satellite for maritime applications. The success of this mission will further strengthen Singapore’s position as an innovative space technology hub for small satellites.”

Weighing in at 16 kg, Lumelite-4 was deployed by ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle flying at 586 km above the sea level on an orbital plane known as the near-equatorial orbit. 

Lumelite-4 is 20 cm by 30 cm and one of four microsatellites STAR is developing. Under STAR’s satellite road map until 2027, the NUS satellite team is working on a series of small satellites for a distributed space system, comprising a number of small satellites flying in tandem for formation and constellation mission with potential use for maritime traffic management.

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