Satellite image of the Earth, illustration.

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AP / SIPA

A French SME on Monday put two nanosatellites into orbit capable of detecting the presence of non-cooperating ships (“dark ships”).

The activity of these two spacecraft will make it possible to fight against illegal fishing, pollution and piracy.

Called BRO-2 and BRO-3 (for “Breizh-Recon-Orbiter”), these satellites belong to the Rennes-based company Unseenlabs.

They will come in reinforcement of BRO-1, put into orbit 550 km from Earth in August 2019.

UPDATE: BRO-2 & BRO-3 launch is now scheduled on November 19 UTC.

https://t.co/sviPEwvGGd

- Unseenlabs (@UnseenLabs) November 15, 2020

Spotting boats from space

The three devices will collect the “signature” of the boats by capturing the electromagnetic waves (ROEM) emitted by the ships vertically.

Unseenlabs' secret technology makes it possible to designate a boat from space with an accuracy of one to five kilometers.

These data are intended to "be integrated into a maritime surveillance report", explains Clément Galic, co-founder of the SME.

Off Peru, BRO-1 recently spotted dozens of boats having crossed the limit of the fishing grounds.

“As if by chance, all these boats cut their AIS (automatic identification system or transponder),” explains Clément Galic, who created the company with his brother, Jonathan Galic.

@UnseenLabs Illegal fishing: "made in France" nanosatellites to monitor the oceans from space • TNTV Tahiti Nui Television https://t.co/Y5OEOCDaFe

- Sea to sea (@ seatosea_56) November 16, 2020

Fight against terrorism and piracy

The two new nanosatellites were launched from the launch pad of the company Rocket Lab, on the Mahia peninsula (New Zealand).

By 2024, Unseenlabs plans to deploy in space a "constellation" of 20 to 25 satellites capable of making 10 to 20 acquisitions per day, to "build very precisely the route of the ships".

Today's activity is focused on the fight against illegal fishing.

Unseenlabs counts among its clients organizations responsible for the action of States at sea, ministries of fisheries, national navies.

The SME employs 16 people and has clients in France and abroad.

It achieves an annual turnover of two to four million euros.

For Hervé Baudu, professor at the École nationale supérieure de la Marine (ENSM), it is “a very good performance”.

“What is new is the use of these techniques for civilian needs,” explains the expert.

Maritime safety is the main issue, but "the other aspect is linked to terrorism, piracy, fishing, or a boat in difficulty", continues Hervé Baudu.

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