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VesselSat 1, 2, 3

VesselSat 2 [LuxSpace]

VesselSat is a constellation of three microsatellites to provide spacecraft-based Automatic Identification System (AIS) sensors in low-Earth orbit as a means of tracking maritime assets.

A delevopment version of the LuxSpace AIS-receivers has been tested before on the Rubin-9.1 (AIS-Pathfinder 2) payload.

Two satellites will be leased to Orbcomm as a replacement for the lost capability of the malfunctioning Orbcomm Quick Launch satellites. A third satellite was planned to be operated by LuxSpace themselves, but was apparently cancelled.

Both satellites operated beyond the three year design life. VesselSat-1 lost contact at the end of 2015 and VesselSat-2 in January 2016.

Nation: Luxembourg
Type / Application: Traffic monitoring
Operator: LuxSpace
Contractors: LuxSpace
Equipment: AIS-receiver
Configuration: Triton-1 bus
Propulsion:
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime: 3 years (design); 4 years (achieved)
Mass: 29 kg
Orbit: 847 km × 867 km, 19.97° (#1); 489 km × 500 km, 97.49° (#2)
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
VesselSat 1 (Orbcomm FM42, V1) 2011-058C 12.10.2011 Sr FLP PSLV-CA with Megha-Tropiques, SRMSAT, Jugnu
VesselSat 2 (Orbcomm FM43, V2) 2012-001B 09.01.2012 TY LC-9 CZ-4B with ZY-3 01
VesselSat 3 - cancelled with ?

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