SPATIAM DTN Network Function for 3GPP Lunar System

The drive from the US government administration and NASA to have an active and permanent presence on the lunar surface will dramatically multiply the need for communications and space networking. PWC forecasts that the Lunar Data, telemetry, entertainment, and environmental markets will grow to $12B by 2040. NASA SBIR Topic H9.08 Lunar 3GPP Technologies identifies that “NASA is seeking to leverage this (3GPP) extensive development” and “encourage development that is needed to translate terrestrial 3GPP technologies into a format suitable for the lunar environment”. Our innovation, the SPATIAM DTN Network Function for 3GPP Lunar System, is an operational Network Function in cislunar space that integrates with 3GPP Systems for delivering network and user services using DTN technologies. The SPATIAM DTN Network Function for 3GPP Lunar System introduces pivotal enhancements, including: - Design, and delivery of a LunaNet-compatible DTN Network Function to enable Interoperability between lunar surface and orbiting relay architectures, including delay tolerant networking. - Definition of a DTN network architecture that supports lunar user services, network interfaces, and functionality requirements to provide continuity to the 3GPP Lunar System. - Creation of an initial software prototype for the SPATIAM DTN Network Function. We aim to advance the SPATIAM DTN Network Function to TRL 4 during Phase I, through the following objectives: - Formal architectural definition of the SPATIAM DTN Network Function. - Definition of the SPATIAM DTN Network Function modes of operation. - Initial software prototype of a DTN Network Function. The objectives will be delivered through a Concept of operations for the SPATIAM DTN Network Function, a prototype demonstration, and a Phase II plan. The SPATIAM DTN Network Function for 3GPP Lunar System will bring us closer to commercialization of lunar communications and networking services.