SmartConnect in action: space, data and civil security for Europe's maritime frontiers

A great maritime demonstration at the ABC Tower in Zeebrugge, showcasing what the ESA SmartConnect project, led by GeoVille as prime contractor, can deliver when space-based services, autonomous systems and terrestrial security capabilities come together.

Together with our partners, we demonstrated how different Space and Civil Security services can support maritime authorities and coast guards in real operational scenarios, from dark vessel detection and maritime surveillance to detecting illegal immigration and tracking response persons on board vessels even when GNSS is unavailable.

At the heart of the demonstration was the ability to bring together data and information from very different sources and domains, including Earth Observation, UAVs, surveillance aircraft, vessels and terrestrial systems, and make this information available where and when it is needed.

The combination of SmartConnect and it's product conneXstream^TM showed how resilient connectivity including SatCom, efficient data transmission and real-time data fusion can help turn heterogeneous sensor data into actionable operational awareness, even under challenging bandwidth conditions.

A big thank you to VITO for managing and coordinating this impressive maritime demonstration, and to all partners, authorities and distinguished guests who contributed to making the event a success.

A very special thank you to ESA Project Officer Pierre-Philippe Mathieu for his extraordinary support, guidance and commitment throughout the entire SmartConnect project. His continuous support and guidance have been invaluable in bringing this ambitious project forward and making this great demonstration possible.

It was a great opportunity to demonstrate that the combination of space capabilities, autonomous systems and civil security services is already becoming a practical tool for maritime security.

Stay tuned for more posts in the coming days, where we will take a closer look at the different demonstrations and use cases showcased during this very interesting event.