Interplanetary Internet (IPN) Communication Infrastructure for Space Exploration

Interplanetary Internet The Interplanetary is a conceived computer network in space, consisting of a set of network nodes which can communicate with each other. [1]

Why IPN? Management of space missions. Serve as a communication infrastructure during emergencies. Mars Mission – communicate with people who have booked one way ticket to Mars.

– 2023? [2] Mars One is a non-profit organization that plans to establish a permanent human colony on Mars by Mars One claims that in 2022, four carefully selected applicants will then be launched in a Mars-bound spaceflight to become the first residents on Mars, and that every step of the crews journey will be documented for a reality television program that will broadcast 24/7/365.

Basic components of IPN An example : Mars The three basic components of the proposed interplanetary Internet [3]: – NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN). – A six-satellite constellation around Mars. – A new protocol for transferring data.

Deep Space Network (DSN) [3] International network of antennas used by NASA to track data and control navigation of interplanetary spacecraft. Designed to allow for continuous radio communication with the spacecraft. DSN's antennas could be pointed at Mars to connect Earth and Mars for at least 12 hours each day.

Deep Space Network [4]

A six-satellite constellation around Mars [3] The DSN will interact with a constellation of six microsatellites and one large Marsat satellite placed in low Mars orbit. These six microsats are relay satellites for spacecraft on or near the surface of the planet, and they will allow more data to come back from Mars missions. The Marsat will collect data from each of the smaller satellites and beam it to Earth.

Mars A human crew in orbit around Mars controls a suite of robotic surrogates, including a rover, climbing-bot, and miniature sample-return rocket. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center [5]

DTN - A new protocol for transferring data Delay and Disruption Tolerant Network Protocol (DTN). Network with intermittent connectivity. Seeks to address the technical issues in heterogeneous networks

Protocol for IPN

Defines a series of contiguous data blocks as a bundle Routed in a store and forward manner between participating nodes over varied network transport technologies

Challenges Astronomical Challenges [3] – The speed-of-light delay. – Satellite maintenance. – The possibility of hacker break-ins. Physical Challenges [6] – The delay - or latency - between request for and receipt of information (such as a telephone call) is usually not noticeable. – When interplanetary distances are involved - and the distance signals need to travel is measured in light minutes - or hours [7]

Challenges Technical Challenges [6] – Power consumption – Servicing and maintenance of broken hardware. – Many potential applications for the InterPlanetary Internet lie in the outer solar system and gateways will need to be positioned in deep space so as to pass information back and forth. – Current photovoltaic-powered satellites become impractical beyond the orbit of Mars - need more efficient hardware and different power supplies. – Orbital dynamics - the problems arise when the sun is between two points that wish to communicate.

Conclusion As there are multiple space missions lined up in the near future, there is a compelling need for a quick progress in establishing faster communication channels Long distance communication protocols need to be standardized

References [1] [2] [3] [4] for-space-travel/28116/ for-space-travel/28116/ [5] exploration/ exploration/ [6] [7] n.gif n.gif

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