Spacecraft Autonomy Through On-orbit Networking

ABSTRACT: Spacecraft as operational nodes on the Internet is a significant means to enabling spacecraft autonomy. The use of Internet Protocol (IP) networking to support Space Operations is dramatically increasing through virtual users, distributed systems and enterprise or service oriented architectures which rely heavily on IP-based networks and systems. In fact, multi-domain command and control, distributed and virtual operations are essential to responsive semi-autonomous space operations and space protection a fundamental tenet of the space control mission area. Using point-to-point serial communications within the USAF's Space Ground Link System (SGLS) framework seriously limits any ability to utilize these advancements related to modern networking. Innoflight has identified an opportunity to establish and demonstrate secure IP networking using the existing SGLS ground infrastructure as a means for a marked advancement in spacecraft autonomy and operations. The benefits of IP networking are well proven and effectively come to the spacecraft operator at no cost. The challenge especially in a multi-mission operations network environment is the higher level development of integration of applications designed to ensure that the network will provide its users the expected performance, configuration control, and most notably, active security measures to include awareness and mitigation. BENEFIT: Innoflight will demonstrate end-to-end IP networking through Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) remote tracking station and established Spacecraft Operations Center (SOC) infrastructure that are typically used for SGLS communications. We will also establish a full set of requirements along with a network architecture blueprint for IP-based spacecraft operations from the same SOC. Moreover, a detailed set of algorithm design definitions along with a testbed demonstration will be established for network management daemons that will enable cyber awareness and protection, network performance monitoring and control, scheduling and resource allocation, user authorization, and other network management features desired by the spacecraft operators. The network management framework and hierarchy of applications will be expandable and able to run concurrently with mission-specific applications on the same computing platforms. At the end of the Phase 1, the entire space C2 IP networking design framework will be ready for implementation. Prior to installation, Innoflight"s Spacecraft Operation Network Management Daemon applications will need to be written and thoroughly tested in Innoflight"s space C2 testbed. Once implemented at a SOC, the entire space industry will see a significant gain in spacecraft operations autonomy and flexibility through secure IP networking which will include a dramatic cost savings by doing away with custom and unique serial protocol translators and space unique systems.