Lusíada 1, ..., 12

Lusíada 1 [LusoSpace]

Lusíada is a planned Portuguese commercial maritime communications satellite constellation developed by LusoSpace. The constellation consists of 12 low Earth orbit CubeSats based on the AAC Clyde Space 8U Cubesatplatform and is designed to provide global VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) services. It is the world's first commercial VDES satellite network and forms part of the €15 million New Space Portugal Agenda.

The Lusíada constellation is intended to modernize maritime communications by extending the capabilities of the Automatic Identification System (AIS). Unlike conventional AIS, which primarily supports one-way vessel tracking, VDES enables secure, encrypted, two-way communications between ships and shore infrastructure. The system is designed to improve maritime safety and operational efficiency by allowing vessels anywhere at sea to receive real-time weather forecasts, navigational warnings, and safety notices while also transmitting operational data and distress messages.

LusoSpace is the constellation's prime contractor. The satellites are built on the AAC Clyde Space 8U CubeSat platform and carry a next-generation VHF communications payload operating in the 156–162 MHz maritime band. The payload is capable of encoding and decoding both AIS and VDES messages. Each spacecraft is equipped with a deployable VHF antenna developed in cooperation with the Instituto de Telecomunicações. Operational satellites are also planned to include propulsion systems to improve orbital maintenance and extend mission lifetimes.

The satellites operate in a polar low Earth orbit to provide global maritime coverage. The constellation architecture comprises 12 satellites distributed across polar orbital planes, enabling frequent revisit times for ships operating in all ocean regions.

The programme began with the launch of the technology demonstrator PoSat-2 in January 2025. PoSat-2 successfully demonstrated the VDES payload and deployable antenna technologies in orbit. Deployment of the operational constellation started with the successful launch of the first four satellites aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission. The remaining satellites are scheduled to complete the full 12-satellite constellation.