The technology advantages and application prospects of satellite-based automatic identification system (AIS) were introduced, and then the system of the satellite based AIS of TT-1 was designed to overcome the problems of multi-cell signal collision, Doppler shift and large space link attenuation, originating from the development of ground-based AIS to satellite-based AIS. This design included the composition of system, the qualification and function of AIS receiver, the design of antenna and microwave switch and the link level estimation of satellite-ground AIS. For the preparation of space applications, it mainly discussed the performance and environment test for the AIS receiver.The on-orbit application situation of TT-1 satellite based AIS was introduced and the results show that the innovated AIS receiver can partly ease these technical problems and achieve a wide range of maritime surveillance requirements.