Page 198 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

B4H 3rd Edition

work well, and near-real-time data delivery became
part of routine operations in November 2011.
Integrating AIS information with other satellite data,
Satellite-Based such as that from remote-sensing satellites, should
Receivers Provide significantly improve maritime surveillance and boost
Expanded Cover safety and security at sea. The results will support
the design and development of a space-based AIS
A partnership between the system in general as well as the performance of
Scientific
Economic
International Space Station and the the AIS receiver on the space station.
Valuation
Valuation
Norwegian Defense Institute (FFI) led to the
installation of Automatic Identification System The Vessel Identification System could be beneficial to
(AIS) receivers on the space station, capable many European entities, particularly law enforcement,
ECONOMIC
SCIENTIFIC
of receiving data from vessels throughout the fishery control campaigns, maritime border control,
VALUATION
VALUATION
ocean in areas that were previously too maritime safety and security issues including marine
pollution survey, search and rescue, and anti-piracy.
remote to detect. The extension of the AIS
infrastructure, which prior to implementation Eirikur Johannsson of Norway, for one, is very thankful
on the space station was primarily ground- for the Vessel Identification System on the space
based and limited to coverage within 15 miles station. He owes his life to the system, which tracked
of shore, has led to the proliferation of the AIS signal of his vessel, the Hallgrimar, when it
satellite-based AIS receivers including those capsized after an accident. This crucial technology
onboard the space station. This space-based continues to save lives by allowing ships that are
expanded coverage facilitated rescue efforts close to accidents or emergencies to come to the
aid of vessels in distress.
for 24 ships sunk, foundered, grounded or
otherwise lost at least 15 nautical miles away
Human Earth Observation Innovative Global Economic
from shore in 2017 alone—310 passengers
Visual and Instrumental Scientific
Health and Disaster Technology Education Development
and crew members were rescued during
Observation of the Ocean from Space
these incidents. Response of Space
One feature of oceanographic research conducted
with the participation of cosmonauts on orbital stations
(https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/
research/overview.html)—including the historical
Salyut and Mir, and the current space station —is the
broad application of the method of scientific visual and
verified as a method of tracking global maritime traffic instrumental observation (VIO) of the world’s oceans
from space and incorporates maritime traffic in open from space. The basis of this method is the visual
waters. The autonomous system picks up signals search, detection and identification of phenomena
from standard AIS transponders that are carried under examination in the near-surface layer of the
by all international ships over 300 gross tonnes on ocean and the atmosphere above it. This is the
international voyages, cargo vessels over 500 gross simplest, yet one of the most informative, ways to
tonnes that are not engaged on international voyages, obtain data in the visible spectrum on the condition
and all types of passenger ships mandated by the IMO of the ocean’s natural environment.
to carry AIS transponders. The space station’s location
at an altitude of 217 to 248 miles (350 to 400 km) is The reliability and scientific value of information on
ideal for space-based AIS signal reception and provides the ocean obtained in this way significantly increases
the means to be utilized by multiple users. because of the targeted use of special recording
equipment (e.g., digital photo and digital video cameras)
During the system’s time in orbit, it has not only greatly and onboard instruments that expand the capabilities
increased the AIS coverage in open seas, the system of the crew member’s visual analysis capabilities during
has undergone upgrades that further improve its observations. Such combined observations are referred
performance, such as in crowded shipping areas to as visual and instrumental. VIO methods are used
where disturbed signals or signal collisions can occur. to establish informational databases in the visible
The Norwegian Automatic Identification System electromagnetic wave spectrum not only in the field
(NORAIS) receiver operated by Norway receives of remote sensing of the oceans, but in other areas
data almost continuously, all modes of operation of knowledge and practical activity.

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