exactView 1 (EV 1)

exactView 1 (EV 1) [SSTL]

exactView 1 (EV 1), formerly known as ADS-1b, will form part of the exactEarth (COM DEV) AIS constellation to monitor ship movements through busy shipping channels and harbours and to provide information on global shipping movements. It is a follow-up mission to the CanX 6/NTS satellite.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a self-organizing TMDA radiocommunication system used for the identification and location of maritime vessels. AIS transponders are required by the International Maritime Organization on all vessels over 300 tonnes and all passenger vessels. Communication is line-of-sight, allowing countries to monitor ships within about 50 km of their shores. A space-based platform allows monitoring of much larger areas, especially in areas that are difficult to monitor through more traditional base station means.

exactView 1 features a AIS payload with two polarizations and four channels and a C-band data downlink.