Alén Space successfully launches SATMAR satellite to transform maritime communications

The digital revolution of the maritime sector has taken a new step forward with the launch of SATMAR, a 6U nanosatellite fully developed by GMV’s company, Alén Space. The satellite lifted off on June 23 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as part of the Transporter-14 mission from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (United States).

The project involves the participation of Egatel and is funded by Ports 4.0, an innovation initiative from Puertos del Estado and the Spanish Port Authorities, which aims to accelerate the digital transformation of the maritime sector by supporting disruptive projects with practical applications in port environments.

The main goal of SATMAR is to demonstrate the viability of the new VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) standard in real operational scenarios. VDES is intended to replace the current AIS system in maritime communications.

This new technology enables bidirectional data transmission via satellite in the VHF band and addresses existing issues related to network saturation in maritime communications. It offers significant improvements in port in the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of global maritime traffic.

The satellite, which will operate over Spain and surrounding waters, will serve as an on-orbit testbed to validate different use cases for both AIS and VDES standards. The mission aims to demonstrate several key capabilities of this emerging technology, including VDES signal transmission, reception of AIS and VDES, maintenance of connectivity even at long distances from the coast, more accurate estimation of vessel arrival times, emission of maritime safety alerts, and encrypted data transmission.

In addition to its primary purpose, SATMAR also includes a secondary payload for spectrum monitoring, turning the satellite into a true in-orbit Software Defined Radio (SDR) laboratory. The mission will test technologies for high-speed communications in the S-band, as well as its ability to monitor and detect RF interferences in the VHF, L, and S bands.