• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • NEWS:
  • SatNews
  • SatMagazine
  • MilSatMagazine
  • SmallSat News
  • |     EVENTS:
  • SmallSat Symposium
  • Satellite Innovation
  • MilSat Symposium
  • SmallSat Europe

SatNews

Satellite Industry Intelligence Since 1983

Subscribe
  • LATEST
  • SatNews Events
  • Magazines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Missions & Constellations
    • Exploration & Science Missions
    • In-Orbit Servicing & Orbital Operations
    • LEO Constellations
    • Mission Autonomy & Onboard Systems
    • Mission Deployments & Manifests
    • Navigation & PNT
    • SmallSat
    • Spacecraft & Payload Technology
    View All in Missions & Constellations →
    Viasat Completes ViaSat-3 Constellation with Successful Flight 3 LaunchViasat Completes ViaSat-3 Constellation with Successful Flight 3 Launch
    GMV to Lead Mission Planning for ESA’s Next-Generation Copernicus ExpansionGMV to Lead Mission Planning for ESA’s Next-Generation Copernicus Expansion
    Canada Tightens Re-entry Regulations as SpaceX Starlink Constellations DescendCanada Tightens Re-entry Regulations as SpaceX Starlink Constellations Descend
    The waiver was the policy. Thursday is the paperwork.The waiver was the policy. Thursday is the paperwork.
  • Business
    • Contracts & Commercial Deals
    • Earnings & Financial Reporting
    • Events & Conferences
    • Funding & Venture Capital
    • Market Forecasts
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Personnel Moves & Appointments
    View All in Business & Finance →
    SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Jorge Ciccorossi, ITU Radiocommunications BureauSmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Jorge Ciccorossi, ITU Radiocommunications Bureau
    SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Koen Willems, ST Engineering iDirect EuropeSmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Koen Willems, ST Engineering iDirect Europe
    U.S. Commercial Service to Host “Future in Orbit” Networking Event at SpaceBR 2026U.S. Commercial Service to Host “Future in Orbit” Networking Event at SpaceBR 2026
    SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Dr. Jakob Stöber, McKinsey & CompanySmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Dr. Jakob Stöber, McKinsey & Company
  • Defense
    • Counterspace & ASAT
    • Defense Budgets & Procurement
    • ISR & Reconnaissance
    • MILSATCOM
    • Missile Warning & Defense
    • National Security Programs
    • Space Domain Awareness
    View All in Military & Defense →
    BAE Systems Enters Production for NavGuide M-Code GPS ReceiverBAE Systems Enters Production for NavGuide M-Code GPS Receiver
    Space Force Awards $3.2 Billion in Golden Dome Contracts for Orbital Interceptor ConstellationSpace Force Awards $3.2 Billion in Golden Dome Contracts for Orbital Interceptor Constellation
    USSF Finalizes GPS III Constellation with Successful SV-10 DeploymentUSSF Finalizes GPS III Constellation with Successful SV-10 Deployment
    Meink: Space Force Programs Ready to Execute Once FY27 Budget LandsMeink: Space Force Programs Ready to Execute Once FY27 Budget Lands
  • Gov
    • Export Controls & Compliance
    • International Space Agreements
    • National Space Policy
    • Space Law & Treaties
    • Space Sustainability & Debris Policy
    • Space Traffic Management / Debris Removal
    View All in Government & Regulation →
    SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Tanja Masson-Zwaan, Leiden UniversitySmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Tanja Masson-Zwaan, Leiden University
    How CubeSat Proliferation is Redefining Sovereignty and Diplomatic Leverage at the United NationsHow CubeSat Proliferation is Redefining Sovereignty and Diplomatic Leverage at the United Nations
    FCC Modernization of Spectrum Rules Unlocks Sevenfold Gain in Satellite CapacityFCC Modernization of Spectrum Rules Unlocks Sevenfold Gain in Satellite Capacity
    The Smartest Money in the Room Is Looking UpThe Smartest Money in the Room Is Looking Up
  • Launch
    • Launch Providers
    • Launch Schedule & Calendars
    • Launch Sites & Infrastructure
    • Rocket Technology & Vehicles
    View All in Launch →
    FAA Grounds Blue Origin Following New Glenn Upper Stage Failure and Facility AnomalyFAA Grounds Blue Origin Following New Glenn Upper Stage Failure and Facility Anomaly
    NanoAvionics to Launch Trio of Milestone Payloads on SpaceX CAS500-2 MissionNanoAvionics to Launch Trio of Milestone Payloads on SpaceX CAS500-2 Mission
    Astrobotic Achieves Record 300-Second Burn with New Detonation EngineAstrobotic Achieves Record 300-Second Burn with New Detonation Engine
    Bad news, but good news followedBad news, but good news followed
  • Software
    • Autonomous Ground Operations
    • Data Processing & AI/ML
    • Digital Twins & Modeling
    • Ground Segment & Teleports
    • Mission Planning & Simulation
    • Space Systems Software Engineering
    • Spectrum & Licensing
    View All in Software Automation & Ground Systems →
    Global Invacom Secures Exclusive Worldwide Distribution for Prodelin Antenna RangeGlobal Invacom Secures Exclusive Worldwide Distribution for Prodelin Antenna Range
    SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Giovanni Pandolfi Bortoletto, Leaf SpaceSmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Giovanni Pandolfi Bortoletto, Leaf Space
    SpinLaunch Selects Equinix to Deploy Global Ground Infrastructure for Meridian Space ConstellationSpinLaunch Selects Equinix to Deploy Global Ground Infrastructure for Meridian Space Constellation
    RF-Design Launches FiberLink CompactLine FCLR1811S4 for Ground Segment OptimizationRF-Design Launches FiberLink CompactLine FCLR1811S4 for Ground Segment Optimization
  • Services & Apps
    • Climate & Environmental Monitoring
    • Disaster Response & Security Mapping
    • Earth Observation & Imaging
    • Maritime & Aviation Satcom
    • Satellite Communications
    View All in Services & Applications →
    Solstar Confirms Successful On-Orbit Operation of Deke Space Communicator Following Launch on SpaceX Transporter-16 MissionSolstar Confirms Successful On-Orbit Operation of Deke Space Communicator Following Launch on SpaceX Transporter-16 Mission
    IEC Telecom Unveils Voucher-Based Connectivity Solution at Singapore Maritime Week 2026IEC Telecom Unveils Voucher-Based Connectivity Solution at Singapore Maritime Week 2026
    GomSpace and STETMAN Establish UASAT Joint Venture for Ukrainian Sovereign CommunicationsGomSpace and STETMAN Establish UASAT Joint Venture for Ukrainian Sovereign Communications
    Market Dynamics and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) ChipsetsMarket Dynamics and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Chipsets

Bundle SatCom Benefits Demo’d By SSTL

September 12, 2008

The first use of the ‘bundle’ protocol in space has been demonstrated with the UK-DMC satellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). Sensor data was successfully delivered from the satellite using this disruption- and delay-tolerant networking protocol designed for the Interplanetary Internet. Wireless ad-hoc communication networks, and networks operating in extreme environments, suffer frequent outages and disruption and require careful engineering to meet their needs. Spacecraft and probes operating beyond Earth orbit have intermittent communication contact limited by orbital dynamics. These space communication links create worst-case scenarios for disruption and long communication outages. Delay-Tolerant Networking techniques address these issues for systems that lack continuous network connectivity. The ‘bundle’ protocol has been developed in a co-operative research effort to support continuous communications across disrupted links. The UK-DMC satellite has delivered delay-tolerant networking ‘bundles’ carrying remote-sensing image data to NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, via SSTL‘s Guildford, England, Mission Control Centre. The first complete image, of South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, was downloaded in fragments across two separate satellite passes to a ‘bundle agent’ in SSTL’s ground station. The fragments were then sent across the Internet to NASA Glenn’s agent, and reassembled into the image file. That file was then delivered back to SSTL for post-processing and orthorectification. Proactive bundle fragmentation protects against the disruption and link outage that occurs between the two separate satellite passes over the ground station. SSTL’s high-performance Saratoga protocol enabled the bundles to be transferred quickly and effectively to the ground.

SSTL bundle image tranmssion

The UK-DMC satellite is a member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC), used for observing the Earth for major disasters and commercial land monitoring. Currently, there are four DMC satellites in daily use in orbit that rely on standard Internet Protocol (IP) networking to send mission-critical imagery to ground stations and to interact with terrestrial networks. The DMC effectively extends the Internet to orbit, and its adoption of IP has made it possible to take the backbone of the Internet even further into space. Networking technologies new to the space environment, such as the bundle protocol and the Cisco Systems Internet router onboard the UK-DMC satellite, can be experimented with and evaluated for further use. Working together and using Internet technology to prototype the future Interplanetary Internet, NASA Glenn Research Center, SSTL, and Cisco Systems are the first to evaluate the delay-tolerant networking bundle protocol in space. This work will be publicly presented on September 30th at the 59th International Astronautical Congress 2008 in Glasgow.

Filed Under: Spacecraft & Payload Technology

Primary Sidebar

Coverage

  • Missions & Constellations
  • Business & Finance
  • Military & Defense
  • Launch
  • Software Automation & Ground Systems
  • Government & Regulation
  • Services & Applications

Most Read Stories

  • Planet Labs Imposes Indefinite Blackout on Iran Satellite Imagery at U.S. Request
  • What the SpaceX IPO Changes for Every Satellite Operator
  • Amazon in Reported Talks to Acquire Globalstar in $9 Billion Move to Challenge Starlink
  • Russia Replaces Starlink With European-Built Satellites
  • The Downlink Deficit: The Pentagon's Optical Mesh Network and the Terrestrial Bottleneck

Secondary Sidebar

Footer

 

Satnews is a leading provider of satellite news, events, publications, research and other satellite industry information in both commercial and military enterprises worldwide.

Stories By Category

  • Business & Finance
  • Government & Regulation
  • Launch
  • Military & Defense
  • Missions & Constellations
  • Services & Applications
  • Software Automation & Ground Systems
  • Spectrum & Licensing
  • Startups & NewSpace Business

About Us

  • Leadership & Editorial Team
  • SatNews History
  • Free Satnews Subscription
  • SatNews Events
  • Magazines

Navigation

  • Latest Stories
  • Magazines
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Cookie & Privacy Policy for Satnews

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
x
Sign up Now (For Free)
Access daily or weekly satellite news updates covering all aspects of the commercial and military satellite industry.
Invalid email address
Notify Me Regarding ( At least one ):
We value your privacy and will not sell or share your email or other information with any other company. You may also unsubscribe at anytime.

Click Here to see our full privacy policy.
Thanks for subscribing!