AAC Clyde Space has signed a €0.85 million contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the first phase of the INFLECION project, aimed at improving maritime domain awareness using satellite technology.
The full project, valued at €30.7 million, is co-funded by the UK Space Agency and is expected to be fully operational by 2028.
INFLECION will integrate VHF Data Exchange System (VDES), Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technologies to provide real-time insights for vessels, shipping companies, insurers, and coastal authorities.
“INFLECION is a key step in AAC Clyde Space’s strategy to grow Space Data as a Service,” said Luis Gomes, CEO, AAC Clyde Space.
“With this project, we are using space technology to tackle real challenges in the maritime industry.”
The initiative is a collaboration between multiple UK-based companies, including AST Marine, Bright Ascension, Craft Prospect, Heriot-Watt University, Horizon Technologies, ICEYE UK, Omanos Analytics, Nash Maritime, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Saab UK, and the University of Strathclyde.
INFLECION will be rolled out in three phases: a definition phase to establish requirements by the end of 2025, followed by development and demonstration phases leading up to commercial deployment.
