Dutch nanosatellite Triton-1 delivered for launch

[Danderman]

http://www.isispace.nl/cms/index.php/news/latest-news/124-dutch-nanosatellite-triton-1-delivered-for-launch



The Dutch nanosatellite Triton-1 has been readied for flight and is awaiting shipment to the launch base in Russia. From Russia the 3-Unit CubeSat will be launch into space on a converted Russian ICBM. Once in orbit Triton-1 will be used to test a highly innovative payload for ocean traffic monitoring developed by ISIS - Innovative Solutions In Space B.V. of The Netherlands.

On August 23rd ISIS readied the first of its two AIS  technology demonstration satellites, Triton-1, for launch. The satellite has been inserted in its satellite dispenser and is awaiting shipment to the launch site together with many of its co-passengers in the ISIS cleanrooms in Delft. The satellite is scheduled to be launched in November of this year from Yasny in Russia. The satellite will be launched using a Dnepr launch vehicle together with other satellites. Triton-1 will be detecting ship position and heading messages from space and will help to establish a global overview of ocean traffic in near real-time.

The satellite uses a highly innovative payload, developed and patented by ISIS, which allows the spacecraft to receive the AIS position messages that are broadcasted by virtually all ocean going vessels. This miniaturized, and low-power payload runs advanced signal processing algorithms in order to be able to correctly receive such messages in areas of high vessel density, where most current satellite AIS detection systems are ‘blinded’ by the overlap of signals and the resulting interference.