An AAC Clyde Space EPIC 3U cubesat. Photo: AAC Clyde Space

AAC Clyde Space AB, Saab AB, and Orcomm Inc. on Monday revealed the development of a next generation, space-based VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) for maritime communications. AAC Clyde Space AB will receive approximately $1.9 million (17 million SEK) in total, of which approximately $1.4 million (12.2 million SEK) is in the form of a grant from the Swedish Transport Administration to finance the building, launch, and commissioning of the first EPIC 3U satellite in the project. This is intended to be the first satellite of a future constellation to provide a VDES service.

The EPIC 3U satellite is planned to launch in mid-2022 and will be the first satellite assembled at AAC Clyde Space’s new integration facility in Uppsala. The satellite will carry a Saab VDES payload for two-way communication between satellite and ground. ORBCOMM will integrate the data in its distribution center for maritime communications.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for our company, with an important new satellite contract and a collaboration with two impressive players in the field. This also marks the first satellite to be built at our new satellite assembly facility in Sweden. We are very excited to be part of a team delivering a new capability to seafarers worldwide, improving safety and efficiency for maritime users. I would like to thank Saab for having selected AAC Clyde Space to be their partner in space, and I look forward to further strengthening our very successful relation with Orbcomm,”,said AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.