Space Based Communications

For maritime Surveillance to Environmental Montioring

  • SPACE MISSIONS

LusoSpace

The maritime community is seeking new possibilities and capacities for digital communications. VDES was developed to meet the increasing need for data communication between maritime users, providing faster data transfer rates with greater integrity than current VHF data link systems. By adding space-based capability to VDES it allows for smarter navigation and communication solutions for the maritime industry.

LusoSpace intends to combine twelve  EPIC LINK 8U satellites into a VDES communication constellation, to be launched late 2025. The order follows an initial order for a 3U satellite received earlier in Q4, 2023. AAC Clyde Space will deliver subsystems sets for 11 satellites platforms  to LusoSpace. The EPIC 8U variant will be co-designed by AAC Clyde Space and LusoSpace and built in Portugal.

This satellite based capability adds a new dimension to terrestrial VDES, creating a global high-speed ship-to-satellite and satellite-to-ship communication link available for various applications.

We believe that this contract will position LusoSpace in a new exciting sector, VDES maritime communications. Our purpose it to add value in the maritime sector for people, companies and institutions, says LusoSpace CEO, Ivo Vieira.

Since the users are on globally distributed ships and often at times far beyond the horizon, a hybrid solution of a terrestrial and satellite-based transmission scheme addresses the challenge for reaching all users. It can be utilized for maritime surveillance, encrypted communications, fishery, logistics, search and rescue, marine integrated applications, innovative application software development for commercial purposes to environmental monitoring.

The Project is funded by the Portuguese Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR). The fund’s objective is to catalyse national capacity in space which is also commercially viable. LusoSpace will develop and deploy twelve nanosatellite spacecraft carrying VDES payloads

We are delighted to share our experience and knowledge with LusoSpace in this project which aims to catalyse Portuguese capacity in space with a commercially viable project. Our EPIC range of satellites has unrivalled flight heritage, a robust design, and an attractive price, says AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.

Project Updates

LusoSpace celebrated the successful launch of the first satellite, PoSAT-2, Portugal’s first commercial satellite January 14th 2025. Our VP Commercial Management, Sue Kee, and VP Sales Space Missions, Derek Bennet, attending the celebration event in Lisbon with Ivo Yves Vieira, the CEO of LusoSpace

We’re also supporting the development of their Future Space Tech—With Augmented Reality! Check out this behind-the-scenes look at LusoSpace and the AAC Clyde Space team working together to trial this cutting-edge AR technology right here in our Glasgow cleanroom. Lusospace has been pioneering AR/XR technology for over 15 years, starting with a Head Mounted Display (HMD) concept for astronauts on the ISS back in 2005. Today, their expert engineers are driving Industry 4.0 solutions, bringing next-level innovation to the aerospace sector.

Pretty awesome, right? Stay tuned for more updates!