March 7, 2019 – Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) has joined the pilot project of Maritime Unmanned Navigation (MUNIN). In this project, the company intends to provide communication services on mobile platforms using the maritime VSAT technology. The MUNIN pilot project provides the development and testing of technologies for automated navigation and remote control of vessels. The project is implemented with the assistance of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade as part of the National Technological Initiative to support high technologies in the most promising areas of the maritime industry. In autumn 2018, MARINET Industry Association announced the launch of an unmanned navigation project to be implemented by leading Russian shipping companies and developers of marine navigation solutions and control systems. VSAT satellite communication technology with GEO satellites and special motorized stabilized satellite dishes on vessels is used to transmit larger volumes of information between offshore facilities and the shore. An innovative solution using modern Russian satellites of the Express-AM series based on maritime VSAT technology allows RSCC to provide a wide range of digital communication and broadcasting services on vessels of various classes and purposes. RSCC’s VSAT network covers the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the Mediterranean, Baltic, Northern, Black, Caspian seas, the seas of Japan and Okhotsk as well as all northern seas washing Russia (including almost the entire length of the Northeast Passage). At present, more than 260 marine vessels operate in RSCC’s VSAT network.