VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) Constellation

The motivation supporting the existence of this project stems from a feasibility study conducted under the "Incubed program of the ESA," which identified the opportunity to replace the AIS communication technology in a currently saturated market with the VDES (V/UHF Data Exchange System).

The main advantages of VDES include:

• Bidirectional communication capability;
• Encrypted communication;
• Designed to operate via satellite;
• Potential to integrate other communication systems;
• Facilitates the implementation of autonomous navigation systems.

Thus, WP11 aims to launch a constellation consisting of 12 satellites to ensure the minimum acceptable service of VDES.

WP11 will also include the development of a VDES antenna in partnership with IT, INEGI, FHP, and ISQ. This VDES antenna is an integral part of the satellite payload and will be entirely developed in Portugal, along with the entire constellation.

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