Intelsat General Corp., has achieved a number of key milestones with the satellite payload that will demonstrate Internet routing in space (IRIS) for the U.S. military. Teamed with Cisco Systems and SEAKR Engineering Inc. to create the payload for IS-14, the satellite being built for Intelsat by Space Systems/Loral, is planned for launch in Q2 of 2009 aboard an Atlas V rocket. The satellite will be placed in geostationary orbit at 45° W longitude, with coverage of Europe, Africa and the Americas.
IRIS is a FY’07 Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) with the Department of Defense (DoD). It is a three-year program that allows the DoD to collaborate with Intelsat General and the company’s industry team to demonstrate and assess the utility of the IRIS capability. Representing the nexgen of space-based communications, IRIS will serve as a computer processor in the sky. The satellite will merge communications being received on various frequency bands and transmit them to multiple users, based on data instructions embedded in the uplink. The IRIS payload will support network services for voice, video and data communications, enabling U.S. military units and allied forces to communicate with one another using Internet protocol and existing ground equipment. The IRIS payload will interconnect one C- and two Ku-band coverage areas. The IRIS architecture and design allow for flexible IP packet routing that can be dynamically reconfigured to maximize end-user capability. With the on-board processor routing the up-and-down communications links, the IRIS payload is expected to enhance satellite performance and reduce signal degradation from atmospheric conditions—Bethesda, Maryland
