A new satellite the size of a shoebox is set to better monitor the world’s oceans and shipping in future. “Otter” is still an experiment. However, the space-based infrastructure should provide crucial insights.
It weighs just six kilograms and is the size of a shoebox, but its interior makes it an observer of the world’s oceans – at least that is the hope of those responsible at the German Aerospace Center: the small satellite Otter was launched into space on …
At an altitude of 500 km, it unfolds its solar panels and launches its instruments. Then – according to the plan – it will keep an eye on ships and certain events on the high seas. The “Optical Traffic Tracking Experiment for Responsive Space” mission is being planned and carried out by DLR together with participants from industry. “It is an experiment that is also intended to show where there is still a need for research in order to realize a faster provision of space-based capabilities,” according to a statement. “Otter” is also intended to demonstrate how well a small satellite can support the large existing maritime reconnaissance systems.
It uses an antenna to record the position signals of maritime targets. To check these images, the small satellite also has a camera on board. It also has additional antennas, receivers and reflectors. The researchers want to use the data to detect illegal fishing, ships in distress, oil spills or signal manipulation on the high seas, for example.
“The use of space-based infrastructure for maritime reconnaissance offers great added value compared to land- and sea-based systems. The situation images are created by satellites independently of national borders. In addition to the large proprietary satellites, more and more small commercial satellites are being established to supplement existing capabilities. Several smaller, easily replaceable systems have a higher resilience and greater coverage,” writes DLR.
RSC³ in Trauen is responsible for the mission
With “Otter”, application-oriented research is being conducted into responsive space capabilities for specific maritime tasks. Responsive space means that space-based services can be provided quickly. This is important in order to supplement or replace a satellite infrastructure if individual satellites fail. Five years ago, DLR established a national competence center for responsive satellite deployment: The Responsive Space Cluster Competence Center (RSC³) in Trauen is also responsible for the “Otter” mission.
The experimental small satellite – a so-called 3 Unit CubeSat – was launched on a SpaceX rocket in the USA. It will remain in low Earth orbit for around two years before burning up in the Earth’s atmosphere. The satellite uses an electric propulsion system to accelerate its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. On the one hand, the RSC³ and those involved from industry are testing their concepts for the construction and operation of the small satellite. On the other hand, they expect the mission to provide insights for observing activities at sea. For example, the satellite receives information from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) of ships. It simultaneously takes pictures with a camera and sends both to a ground station, where the data is analyzed. The satellite also receives new instructions and schedules via the ground station.
