Intelligence: Coast Guard Spy Satellite

Archives

January 6, 2008: The U.S. Coast Guard is putting a ship-tracking satellite into orbit. The satellite will collect signals from the AIS (Automatic Identification System) transmitters that all large ships are required to carry in order to qualify for insurance. The data will be passed on to coast guard shore stations and ships, making it easier for these large ships to be tracked. Shipping companies already use this technology, and the coast guard can get the information from those firms. But by having their own satellite, access is quicker and more certain. The U.S. Navy already uses the AIS monitoring system. Naturally, smaller, uninsured ships do not carry AIS, and are more likely to be carrying illegal cargo.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close