MaSSha 2
Maritime Secure Digital Services over Shared VDE – SAT Network 2
About MaSSha 2
The MaSSha2 project matches the core strategy of Sternula and Space Norway to establish a global VDES connectivity service. The project will develop and demonstrate a network sharing concept for VDES satellite networks, which will enable the two partners to share capacity with each other. Network sharing will enable close-to-real-time connectivity for customers at an earlier stage and at a much lower investment than if each operator had to build its own full network. Not only will they be able to share capacity, they will also be able to offer capacity to other VDES satellite/coastal network operators or acquire capacity from competitors. This is inspired by how roaming is used in mobile networks to optimize investments and improve the customer experience, and this will eventually make the two companies more competitive in the emerging VDES market.
Project description:
The MaSSha2 project will utilize existing VDES satellite infrastructure from Space Norway (NorSat-2, NorSat-TD), and the upcoming satellite (ADIS, 2025), together with upcoming VDES satellites from Sternula (4 satellites, 2026). This will allow the project to demonstrate the developed VDES network sharing concept in a realistic environment. The two partner organizations are the most advanced VDE-SAT pioneers in the world. For VDES, Space Norway focus primarily on Norwegian needs, governmental users and public services. Sternula is a globally oriented private company. Together as partners, they form a European stronghold in the domain of VDES, which the MaSSha2 project will strengthen further.
Both Sternula and Space Norway are working to establish a LEO satellite infrastructure to offer a global VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) connectivity service in order to enable a range of critical maritime digital services. VDES provides an “IP free” connectivity option for transferring data between navigational systems and digital services on land. Since navigational systems on the ship bridge are generally not allowed to connect to internet due to the risk of hacking, VDES will play a key role in the digitalization of the maritime industry. It extends the existing AIS technology and is therefore often referred to as “AIS 2.0”. Since VDES is a combined satellite and coastal network with multiple operators, and since the number of available satellites will be important for global real-time VDES accessibility and latency, it is of very high importance to develop a robust network sharing concept.
The partners
The following entities are partners in the MaSSha 2 project:
Sternula is Denmark’s first commercial satellite operator, offering global VDE-SAT connectivity for maritime authorities and industries using their own fleet of advanced micro satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) from which the first one was launched in January 2023. They take an active role together with global maritime stakeholders to standardize VDES under IALA, IMO, and ITU.
Contact Sternula:
Adam Kalnický
Project Coordinator Assistant
+45 5031 5537
adk@sternula.com
Space Norway is a government owned organization set up to develop, invest and
operate space-based infrastructure that meet Norwegian user needs where these are not
commercially available. For Norway, the maritime domain is important in terms of shipping,
tourism, and natural resources. As a result, maritime communications services to remote
areas like the Arctic is a focus area.
Contact Space Norway:
Lars Løge
Subcontractor Project Coordinator and Work Package
Manager
+47 9969 9101
lars.loge@spacenorway.no
