Understanding the types of satellite data that Starboard can ingest

As part of the Using Satellite Data for Analysis in Starboard series, this article introduces some of the core remote sensing technologies used for maritime domain awareness (MDA) and how they appear and function within the Starboard platform.

Starboard supports a range of satellite remote-sensing data sources for vessel detection and AIS integration. Of these, three primary sources are frequently integrated:

Keep reading to learn more about each of these satellite types, and how they are integrated into Starboard.

Satellite data that has been ingested into Starboard can be toggled on and off through your Map layers, in the Satellite data menu.

Open the Satellite data menu to toggle on your data feeds

When satellite data is enabled in your map layers, the Added satellite data panel appears to the left of your screen. From this panel, you can select and toggle the visibility of specific collections and their associated vessel detections, based on your filtered Time and Area.

The Added satellite data panel appears amongst your other analysis panels to the left of your screen, once it has been toggled on through your Map Layers.

If you cannot see the Added satellite data panel, even after toggling on Satellite data collections in your Map Layers, it may be that there are no acquisitions available for your filtered Time and Area, or that your organisation has not procured any data.

The specific satellite data feeds available to you through the Added satellite data panel are dependent on your organisation. Contact your organisation’s administrator to find out which satellite types (if any) that your organisation has ordered in Starboard.

Contact support@starboard.nz to learn more about integrating bespoke data feeds for your organisation. In addition to satellite data, Starboard can ingest vessel detections derived from surface and aerial assets, as well as Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and other data types.

Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellations theoretically make it possible to observe the entire maritime environment multiple times per day using different remote sensing technologies from both the private- and public-sectors. However, effective vessel-detection strategies must balance several factors, including coverage, revisit rate, resolution, and cost. This makes selecting the right sensor, and the right provider, an important analytical decision.

The three sensor types commonly used for unclassified maritime geo-spatial intelligence are introduced below. Detailed case studies and technical considerations are provided in subsequent articles in this series.

Optical satellite sensors capture reflected sunlight from the Earth's surface across multiple spectral bands, including the visible red, green, and blue wavelengths that allow for natural-colour images. These sensors produce what are commonly known as optical images, used in everything from land monitoring to vessel detection. High-resolution optical imagery is particularly useful to detect smaller vessels and detailed objects, but its effectiveness can be limited by cloud cover.

High and low resolution EO images of a port

Some light-based Earth observation sensors are also capable of capturing imagery during nighttime overpasses, enabling the detection of vessels that use bright lights. The most prominent example is the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), fitted on satellites operated jointly by NASA and NOAA. VIIRS collects low-light visible and near-infrared data at a global scale every night, detecting sources such as city lights, gas flares, wildfires, and illuminated vessels such as squid fishing fleets.

Satellite radar sensors transmit microwave signals towards the Earth’s surface, and record the energy that is reflected back. The strength of the reflected microwave signals are dependent on the density of the material it interacts with on Earth, with dense metal objects resulting in the strongest backscatter. Unlike optical sensors which can be hampered by cloud cover, SAR can operate in all weather conditions and at night, as micro-wavelengths can penetrate clouds and are not dependent on sunlight.

Vessels appear as bright spots in greyscale SAR images due to the strong microwave backscatter against their dense hulls, relative to the absorbent ocean background. Interpreting SAR imagery can be complex—distinguishing vessels from ocean clutter, reefs, debris, wave patterns, or atmospheric phenomena often requires sophisticated processing and analysis.

High and low resolution SAR images of a port.

Satellite-based RF detection enables the passive geolocation of electronic emissions from on-board vessel equipment. The primary source of these emissions is navigational radar, with most vessels at sea operating at least one radar continuously. Additional emissions may occur from sources such as radio communications or satellite connections. Unlike EO and SAR, RF detections do not produce a visual output, just a calculated geographic location (and associated metadata).

RF detection ellipses displayed in Starboard.

Each of these remote sensing technologies has strengths and limitations. The table below summarises their suitability for common maritime intelligence applications. Specifications vary by provider; this table is intended as a broad indicative guide only.

Key

✔️ = Yes

$ = provider dependent

* = vessel dependent