Extending the Internet out in space
Established more than 40 years ago, the Democritus University of Thrace in Xanthi, Greece is considered one of the country's leading academic institutions. Urged by the need to enhance academic excellence in line with research priorities, the University solicited EU support to strengthen the research potential of its laboratory of Internet worked systems. This was the mission of the EU-funded project titled 'Space Internetworking Center' (SPICE). The project scope covered different aspects of the unification of outer space and Earth communications, attracting worldwide interest in research carried out at the first European Centre of Excellence in space Internetworking. Highly successful protocols of today's Internet operate poorly in challenging environments, characterised by frequent network partitions. Not surprisingly, space communications require scheduling contacts in advance. Through project efforts to adapt the Internet for space, the suite of protocols that make up the Disruption Tolerant Network (DTN) has been expanded. SPICE's infrastructure was upgraded with acquisition of new hardware components for the existing prototype DTN testbed, able to simulate satellite and deep-space communications. In addition, a portable satellite simulator and other high-tech equipment were employed to calculate the exact satellite trajectories, as well as detailed characteristics of established communication links. The new equipment helped establish a cutting-edge laboratory allowing the recruited highly qualified researchers to reach the project's goals. Several protocols were developed using the upgraded DTN testbed. The Delay Tolerant Payload Conditioning (DTPC) protocol extends the DTN architecture in order to provide services similar to those offered by the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Visiting researchers and partnerships with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and other organisations have linked space Internetworking with hot topics such as energy-efficient networking and green Internet. The numerous project findings have been published in scientific journals and presented at international conferences. Participation of the SPICE project team in standardisation bodies that define space communication protocols has also highlighted the Center's pivotal role in space research. SPICE will be a definite key player in the field, promoting scientific research and innovation not only in northern Greece but also throughout the European Research Area (ERA).
Keywords
Internet, space, communications system, space Internetworking, Delay Tolerant Payload Conditioning
