Unseenlabs launches new satellites to detect ships from space

French space company Unseenlabs, a specialist in radio frequency data and solutions for maritime domain awareness, has announced the successful launch of its two new satellites, BRO-10 and BRO-11 — the 10th and 11th satellites in its pioneering constellation committed to ships detection at sea.

The launch was conducted as part of the Transporter-9 Mission aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, taking off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, and signifies another step forward in Unseenlabs’ ongoing mission to enhance maritime surveillance through its technology, which is capable of detecting the presence of any ship regardless of its geographical location.

As the global maritime landscape experiences a surge in ship activities, the necessity for reliable, large-scale monitoring is paramount. Unseenlabs provides RF data which is said to be unparalleled, thus enabling comprehensive vessel characterisation and precise geolocation to meet the increasing demands of maritime surveillance worldwide.

With BRO-10 and BRO-11 now in orbit at an altitude of 520 km, Unseenlabs’ constellation now comprises 11 satellites, resulting in 11 simultaneous RF data collection points thanks to its monosatellite technology. The extended satellite fleet signifies not merely an enlargement of operational scope, but also an enhanced ability to monitor and characterise vessels globally, underscoring the company’s commitment to safeguarding marine assets and environments against illicit activities and threats.

The expansion of the constellation thus offers increased surveillance and vessel characterisation capabilities on a global scale, catering to the needs of government entities, NGOs and private-sector stakeholders, such as insurers, worldwide. This advancement is expected to contribute to improving the global maritime landscape, particularly in a time when maritime activities continue to thrive.

“This milestone not only represents a technological breakthrough for Unseenlabs but also strengthens our position as the global leading provider of data and services for maritime surveillance,” said Clément Galic, CEO and co-founder of Unseenlabs. “With each satellite we add to our constellation, we’re not just collecting more data; we are expanding the depth and breadth of information we can deliver to the global maritime community.

“With this successful launch, Unseenlabs continues its robust growth trajectory, both in France and internationally, solidifying its position as the global leader in radio frequency signal detection from space.”

Image caption: Launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.