Alén Space will launch SATMAR satellite in June to transform maritime communications
May 22, 2025
The digital transformation of the maritime sector is set to take a major step forward with the launch of SATMAR, a 6U nanosatellite fully developed by Alén Space. The launch is scheduled for June 21, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as part of the Transporter-14 mission from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (United States).
The project involves the participation of Egatel and is funded by Ports 4.0, an innovation initiative from Puertos del Estado and the Spanish Port Authorities, which aims to accelerate the digital transformation of the maritime sector by supporting disruptive projects with practical applications in port environments.
The main goal of SATMAR is to demonstrate the viability of the new VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) standard in real operational scenarios. VDES is intended to replace the current AIS (Automatic Identification System) in maritime communications.
This new technology enables bidirectional data transmission via satellite in the VHF band and addresses existing issues related to network saturation in maritime communications. It offers significant improvements in port operations as well as in the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of global maritime traffic.
The satellite, which will operate over Spain and surrounding waters, will serve as an on-orbit testbed to validate different use cases for both AIS and VDES standards, in collaboration with the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras and Spanish maritime sector companies such as Oritia & Boreas.
The mission aims to demonstrate several key capabilities of this emerging technology, including VDES signal transmission, reception of AIS and VDES, maintenance of connectivity even at long distances from the coast, more accurate estimation of vessel arrival times, emission of maritime safety alerts, and encrypted data transmission.
A pioneering project to revolutionize the maritime sector
“We’re proud to lead such a pioneering project as SATMAR,” says Guillermo Lamelas, CEO of Alén Space, “because it’s a technology with real impact on global maritime traffic. The VDES standard will be a revolution for the sector, enabling the digitalization of maritime communications, offering new services, and improving safety and efficiency in both port operations and vessels.”
In addition to its primary purpose, SATMAR also includes a secondary payload for spectrum monitoring, turning the satellite into a true in-orbit Software Defined Radio (SDR) laboratory. The mission will test innovative technologies for high-speed communications in the S-band, as well as its ability to monitor and detect RF interferences in the VHF, L, and S bands.
The payloads have been designed to allow in-orbit reconfiguration, making it possible to adapt the testing process as the mission progresses.
SATMAR represents the natural continuation of the SHIPMATE project (Satellite Hybrid Information Protocol for MAritime TElecommunications), previously developed by Alén Space and Egatel in collaboration with Gradiant, and reinforces the path toward digitalizing maritime communications from space.
