TDRSS History as an Internet Service Provider

1
TDRSS History as an Internet Service Provider

• Dave Israel
• NASA/GSFC Code 567.3
• dave.israel_at_gsfc.nasa.gov
• June 25, 2001

2
TDRSS ISP Overview

• The capability for NASAs Tracking and Data Relay
  Satellite System (TDRSS) to support serial IP
  user data has existed since the installation of
  the South Pole TDRSS Relay in December 1997.
• The infrastructure installed at White Sands for
  SPTR has proven to be valuable for other projects
  as well.
• Space Internet demonstrations
• Educational Outreach Projects

3
The South Pole TDRSS Relay (SPTR)

• Installed in December 1997 to give the South Pole
  communications through TDRS-1
• SPTR provides a two-way 1.024 Mbps IP connection
  and a one-way 5 Mbps file transfer service for
  nearly 5 hours/day
• Any possible IP application is available through
  TDRSS for the South Pole
• E-mail, surfing the web, FTP, Telnet
• Voice over IP
• Telemedicine
• Remote science operations

4
SPTR IP Connection
5
SPTR South Pole Hardware
6
SPTR Additions to White Sands
7
Current WSC Router Configuration
NASA White Sands Complex
NASA Internet (NISN-SIP)
STGT
IP User A
L O W R A T E S W I T C H
TDI
S2
S0
SSAF/R
S-Band
NI/STGT ROUTER (4500)
S1
1 Mbps
Server
K-Band
KSAR
E0
Store/ Forward
Internet
E1
IP User B
WSGT
SSAF/R
TDI
S0
S2
S-Band
E1
NI/WSGT ROUTER (4500)
KSAR
Server
K-Band
E0
Store/ Forward
S3
S1
.
.
WART
MCS
SPTR
Server
KSAR
Store/ Forward
SSAF/R A
SSAF/R B
8
Other TDRSS IP Users/Demonstrations

• Once the SPTR infrastructure was installed at
  White Sands, the opportunity for other IP users
  existed
• User hardware was either TDRSS Internet Link
  Terminal (TILT) or the ECOMM Internet Terminal
• Recent demonstrations have also used the Low
  Power Transceiver (LPT)
• Feb 1998 Eclipse webcast from Aruba
• Nov 1998 - Present OMNI Demonstrations
• Apr 1999 North Pole Expedition
• Aug 1999 Eclipse webcast from Black
  Sea
• Sep 1999 President Clinton in New
  Zealand
• Nov 1999 JSC Inspection Day 1999
• Dec 1999 Yosemite/West Virginia
• Nov 2000 JSC Inspection Day 2000
• Apr 2001 Women Quest North Pole
  Webcast
• Jul - Dec 2001 USCG Healy Arctic Research
  Cruise

9
TILT S-Band System
10
ECOMM Internet Terminal
11
TDRSS ISP Photo Gallery
Clockwise from top left SPTR antennas at the
South Pole, ECOMM check out during North Pole
Expedition, The OMNI Van, TILT in Istanbul during
Eclipse 99 support
12
STS-107 Demonstration

• Hitchhiker Payload on STS-107
• CANDOS
• May 2002 Flight

13
Summary

• TDRSS continues to be a valuable resource for
  Space Internet demonstrations
• Infrastructure in place
• Global coverage allows demonstrations from the
  ground
• Lessons from TDRSS ISP history can be used to
  plan for future Space Internet users
• Relevant websites
• http//nmsp.gsfc.nasa.gov/SPTR/
• http//ipinspace.gsfc.nasa.gov