Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32637: Tracking Ships from Space: How the ISS Helps Monitor Global Maritime Traffic

The oceans are vast, and keeping track of ships is a global challenge. The Vessel ID System, operated from the International Space Station, revolutionizes maritime monitoring using Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology. Spearheaded by Principal Investigator R.B. Olsen and supported by ESA, this project was active across numerous ISS expeditions from 23/24 to 61/62.

AIS transponders on ships broadcast real-time data about vessel identity, position, course, and speed. From orbit, the ISS receives this data over broad swaths of the ocean—particularly regions not well covered by terrestrial stations. This improves maritime domain awareness, supports global shipping logistics, enhances search and rescue operations, and helps monitor illegal activities like unauthorized fishing or smuggling.

The space-based vantage point of the ISS allows it to serve as a dynamic observation platform, integrating vessel tracking into the broader context of Earth observation.

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