On-orbit Results from the Tacsat-2 Actd Target Indicator Experiment Ais Payload

As part of the US Department of Defense’s Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) initiative, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) developed the Target Indicator Experiment (TIE) payload for the TacSat-2 spacecraft, which was launched 16 December, 2006 on a Minotaur 1 launch vehicle from Wallops Island, Virginia. The TIE payload was an improved version of the primary payload developed for the TacSat-1 spacecraft. One of the main enhancements was the addition of a software definable radio receiver and demodulator for the collection of the Automated Identification System (AIS) signal now required globally on large ships for maritime safety and security. While several systems have been proposed, TacSat-2 was the first small satellite to successfully collect AIS signals from space. This paper presents an overview of the design of the TIE payload AIS system, the collection experiments that were performed during the life of the spacecraft, the results of those experiments, samples of the data collected, and recommendations for future systems.