Space

Internet router in Space

Posted by Andy on January 24, 2010
Cool Tech, Networking / Comments Off on Internet router in Space

Speaking of the internets, Cisco is going extraterrestrial.  “In a move that could revolutionize satellite communications, Cisco extends the Internet into space for testing by the U.S. government and businesses”. 

Yep, cisco has a router on Intelsat 14 launchedNovember 23.  The router has passed initial testing and is ready for use.  Cisco’s goal is to have “a router on every communications satellite”.  A lofty goal to say the least, and is part of Cisco’s IRIS (Internet Routing In Space) initiative.  The goal of the initiative is to route traffic (voice, data, video) between satellites directly rather than down to terrestrial routers and back up to space.  The implications for the communications industry (and the military) are tremendous, engendering heady comments from industry players.  Don Brown of Intelsat General says “IRIS is to the future of satellite-based communications what Internet forerunner ARPANET was to the creation of the World Wide Web in the 1960s.”   I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it is a pretty big deal.

The big advantage of direct IP between satellites is decreased delay in communication.  Signals between people on opposite sides of the world often have two or more satellite hops to get from one place to another.  If IRIS gets traction, then speeds could be greatly improved.  Think about that the next time a CNN reporter and anchor are staring at dead air while they wait for the other’s words to reach them.

Here’s the press release from CISCO – cool stuff.

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