A satellite system for detecting radio frequency signals to produce a plurality of zone signals, the system comprising: a) at least two sensors (502, 504), each sensor (502, 504) for (i) receiving a plurality of radio frequency signals, each radio frequency signal comprising a plurality of messages; and (ii) outputting a sensor signal that is representative of the received plurality of radio frequency signals; b) a processing unit for: (i) combining the sensor signals into an initial set of mathematical combinations to produce a plurality of zone signals representing zones that segment the field of view of the satellite system; and (ii) combining the sensor signals into adjusted mathematical combinations to produce a plurality of zone signals representing zones having adjusted characteristics; c) a controller for: (i) adaptively selecting the adjusted mathematical combinations based on characteristics of the zone signals produced by the processing unit; and (ii) outputting a control signal relaying the adaptively selected adjusted mathematical combinations to the processing unit; and d) at least one receiver for extracting one or more of the plurality of messages contained in the zone signals produced by combining the sensor signals into the adjusted mathematical combinations; characterized in that the radio frequency signals are automatic identification system signals sent by ships and in that each zone of the zone signals that are produced by mathematically combining the sensor signals has a number of ships less than a receiver detection threshold. a) at least two sensors (502, 504), each sensor (502, 504) for (i) receiving a plurality of radio frequency signals, each radio frequency signal comprising a plurality of messages; and (ii) outputting a sensor signal that is representative of the received plurality of radio frequency signals; (i) receiving a plurality of radio frequency signals, each radio frequency signal comprising a plurality of messages; and (ii) outputting a sensor signal that is representative of the received plurality of radio frequency signals; b) a processing unit for: (i) combining the sensor signals into an initial set of mathematical combinations to produce a plurality of zone signals representing zones that segment the field of view of the satellite system; and (ii) combining the sensor signals into adjusted mathematical combinations to produce a plurality of zone signals representing zones having adjusted characteristics; (i) combining the sensor signals into an initial set of mathematical combinations to produce a plurality of zone signals representing zones that segment the field of view of the satellite system; and (ii) combining the sensor signals into adjusted mathematical combinations to produce a plurality of zone signals representing zones having adjusted characteristics; c) a controller for: (i) adaptively selecting the adjusted mathematical combinations based on characteristics of the zone signals produced by the processing unit; and (ii) outputting a control signal relaying the adaptively selected adjusted mathematical combinations to the processing unit; and (i) adaptively selecting the adjusted mathematical combinations based on characteristics of the zone signals produced by the processing unit; and (ii) outputting a control signal relaying the adaptively selected adjusted mathematical combinations to the processing unit; and d) at least one receiver for extracting one or more of the plurality of messages contained in the zone signals produced by combining the sensor signals into the adjusted mathematical combinations;