Advancing the Space Communications Link Using Internet Protocol

The proposed effort will design, build, and demonstrate a revolutionary and long overdue advancement to space communications. Through the use of native IP, Innoflight will introduce seamless networked communications through space vehicle links, ground stations, the mission operations center and end users. Our proposed solution includes a powerful link encoder, IP/HDLC, Type 1 HAIPE encryption, Gbps speeds and a routing function – all implemented on a single space vehicle subsystem appliance. This effort will transform multiple spacecraft into networked vehicles which have high performance, secure, networkable communications to each other and through to the ground segment user. Our efforts will advance the transformation of tactical spacecraft by supporting net-centric operations and rapid integration of PnP spacecraft consistent with the satellite data model approach. It will also unleash the capability to host and serve many applications on one vehicle consistent with modern systems. Last, it will enable mission designers to operate over any IP network (Internet, SIPRNet, Classified WANs) as a black core without the need for specialized dedicated, bandwidth sensitive transport infrastructure. BENEFIT: Anticipated benefits of the SBIR Phase II include: 1) Seamless space networked communications (end-to-end) with HAIPE security, 2) Lower cost mission operations, ground stations and communications infrastructure, 3) Rapid spacecraft development and integration, 4) DoD Type 1 plug-n-play enabled space and ground appliances for operations over a black core 4) Multi-protocol spacecraft applications, and 5) The use of established IP networks for distributed net-centric operations. The customers for this technology include every branch of the military (and their supporting research and development agencies and institutions) since each one provides systems or relies on systems that communicate from space. To increase the market size, our technology extends very well to UAV systems as they require high reliability, highly autonomous communication links along with network centric operations within the theater and from space. A UAV can simply be enabled as a node in a secure network (similar to the remote tracking station) and be equipped with the communications appliance to receive critical data or information from a satellite above. The fact that our proposed technology is founded on open standards and plug-n-play will open our commercialization capabilities significantly as numerous DoD agencies and NASA ARC are looking to AFRL’s SPA efforts to drive down the cost and increase the responsiveness of space missions. Our primary target is the DoD small satellite (most notably, CubeSats) and Operationally Responsive Space (e.g., TACSAT) market which includes research, development and demonstration programs from DARPA, MDA, AFRL, SMC, and NRO. CubeSats have a lot to gain from this technology due to the fact that a cluster, swarm or tight formation of CubeSats is basically mandatory in order to qualify as a significant DoD mission. It is expected that these CubeSats form a network to enable sensor collaboration, autonomous reconfiguration, shared computing and a host of other capabilities enabled in a network centric architecture. Similarly, DARPA''s F6 program will gain from this technology. The emergence of these missions and ORS’s staunch support of open standards and plug-n-play indicates the awareness that National Security objectives can be met through low-earth orbiting small spacecraft and more responsive missions. NASA''s Constellation Program, is another prominent customer for this technology especially the ability to establish robust long distance networking capabilities for lunar systems including the implementation of IPsec – potentially with the need for NSA certified HAIPE solutions. Last, but certainly not least when it comes to commercialization potential, future net-centric space secure communications demonstrate a significant and emerging demand for a Type 1 IP-based space solution. The space communicatons network of 2020 will rely on IP-based HAIPE enabled systems much like the ones that Innoflight proposes to demonstrate in this effort.