Advancing the Space Communications Link Using Internet Protocol

Much effort has been put into building space vehicles on a more responsive timeline by leveraging common interfaces and taking advantage of middleware for configuration and operation.  While the core spacecraft have been getting smarter, we still have one major problem the space communications link.  One well-used example of this problem is the secure Space Ground Link System (SGLS) link which was designed in a pre-OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model  era.  As such, secure SGLS accommodates a ground to space vehicle connection with no considerations for more advanced architectures.  Modern communications protocols have evolved to a more structured approach to communications that essentially defining barriers (interfaces) between OSI layers and turning links into transport layers capable of much more than a finite number of commands.  This approach was a catalyst for a vast number of new applications.  The goal of this project is to propose an evolutionary path from the current space communications architecture to a network based architecture using Internet Protocol, which maintains DoD class security, but opens up the possibilities for advanced mission concepts.   BENEFIT: The Phase 1 effort provides the foundation for the development and implementation of a space communications testbed for Space Plug-n-Play Avionics (SPA) and related technology.  An IP transport will exist that can be used over legacy space communications infrastructure (e.g., AFSCN, TDRSS, NASA GN) that will extend the existing SPA/XTEDS on-vehicle communications to the ground network.  Furthermore, the Phase 1 effort will advance Innoflight''''s IP-in-Space expertise and communication hardware designs into the plug-n-play realm making them available as commercial products for future rapidly deployed spacecraft and responsive space missions.  These missions will now be equipped with the technology to greatly enhance their space communications segments made possible by IP networking and protocols.