Feasibility Analysis and Optimization of a Satellite Constellation for Global Maritime Coverage

This thesis investigates the design and optimization of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to enable global maritime coverage in compliance with the standards of the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES). VDES represents the evolution of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), extending its safety and traffic management functions toward more advanced data communication services that are essential for the digital transformation of the maritime sector. The focus is placed on the satellite component of VDES. The research includes an overview of the state of the art of currently operational commercial constellations, which serve as a reference for performance assessment. Dedicated simulations are carried out to highlight the capability of achieving worldwide maritime coverage through LEO satellites. The work contributes to the feasibility evaluation of a dedicated VDES constellation by developing and applying optimization algorithm and simulations. These tools identifies optimal orbital configurations under different design parameters, providing insights into trade-offs between coverage, constellation size and orbits distribution.