An automatic identification system (AIS) communications payload for a space vehicle traveling in earth orbit includes an antenna; a receiver connected to the antenna to receive an AIS signal including a reported vessel position transmitted from a vessel; a processor to process the received AIS messages and determine the accuracy of the reported vessel position; and a transmitter to transmit the processed AIS messages and the determined accuracy to a ground earth element. The processor may be configured to determine a position of the space vehicle; compare the reported vessel position to the space vehicle position; and determine the accuracy of the reported vessel position based on the comparison. The processor also may be configured to flag the AIS message as suspect when the reported vessel position is determined to be inaccurate.