Analysis of Space Systems for Moving Water Surface Objects Identification

Abstract

The governing documents assume the creation in Ukraine by 2025 of a state integrated system of water surface and underwater environment of the Black and Azov seas and the basins of the Dnipro and Danube rivers, as well as a system of operational (combat) control, communication, intelligence and surveillance (C4ISR) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Both systems will function in the interests of the Naval Forces of Ukraine and will enable receiving operational data on the water surface environment for the purpose of protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as countering illegal activities within the exclusive (maritime) economic zone of Ukraine. The article considers the possibility of using space systems for moving water surface objects identification as part of the targeted water surface environment detection systems. The mentioned space systems allow to simultaneously solve all three tasks inherent in water surface environment detection systems, i.e. detection, identification and observation of moving water surface objects. In the article, moving water surface objects should be understood as manned or unmanned sea and riverine single and group objects capable of moving on the water surface. Currently, similar space systems are already used by the EU, the USA, as well as other maritime states. The abovementioned systems enable the performance of the tasks of covering the water surface environment at significant distances from the coastline under any weather conditions and at different times of the day. At the same time, there are no risks for personnel and technical means of surveillance. The article contains a description of the specified space systems, as well as an overview of the spacecraft used to relay on-board navigational information. It should be noted that at the current stage, similar space systems are also used to detect, identify and track air and ground moving objects. Keywords: water surface environment; exclusive (maritime) economic zone; space system; radio line; navigation information; AIS; LRIT; COSPAS-SARSAT; SSAS; VMS.