About Us
Even in Space, the Internet is for everyone...
The dream of a Solar System Internet is closer than ever...
For over twenty years, IPNSIG has been working to realize the dream of networking at interplanetary distances
Vint Cerf, Adrian Hooke and others at the Jet Propulsion and elsewhere tackled the problem of how to successfully cope with the delay, disruption, and other networking constraints created by the great distances and the very environment of space. The result was a series of experimental protocols– what became known as the Bundle Protocols, or more formally, as Delay & Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN).
Many of the pioneers in this work are still members of IPNSIG. And the technical work, while not complete, has matured greatly. Many of the protocols have been formerly adopted by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS), a global standards setting organization for civilian space flight. Moreover, a Standards Working Group has been formed within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Formal adoption of DTN as a set of terrestrial Internet standards is in progress.
Now seems the appropriate time to expand our focus to include both the infrastructure (the Solar System Internet) and the governance of that infrastructure. Especially as commercialization of space progresses, the need for a similar Space Internet that is open, trusted and trustworthy are challenges that must be addressed. Read our Strategy Working Group Report for more information.