Norway has launched NorSat-4, its fifth in line of microsatellites for maritime surveillance and situational awareness.
The device was put in orbit by the SpaceX's Falcon rocket. This satellite is part of the Norwegian Coastal Administration's space program for ocean surveillance and will draw AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals from ships sailing in Norwegian waters.
“It is of extra significance in today's geopolitical climate," said the Norwegian Coastal Administration's Director General.
The satellite features the AIS which provides information on vessels' identity, position, speed, and course, which, in turn, contributes to ensuring safe sea traffic, detecting illegal fishing and other crimes, and surveilling maritime borders, among other things.
NorSat-4 also carries two payloads for the Norwegian Armed Forces: a newly developed low-light camera to photograph ships that have turned off their AIS sender in an attempt to be invisible, as well as a prototype for encrypted data transfer between satellite and ground station.
Theodor Lisovoy, Managing Editor, Rough&Polished
