Next-Generation Space Internet: Prototype Implementation

~bstract ' - Future orbiting sensor constellations will consist of tens, hundreds, or even thousands of spacecraft, each capable of generating enormous amounts of data. Managing these constellations will require that the spacecraft be autonomous, deciding without human intervention what observations to make and asynchronously reporting results. The need for a robust and efficient shared network infrastructure combined with the desire to provide direct connectivity between orbiting instruments and scientists on the Internet argues for connecting these sensor constellations directly to the Internet. This paper describes our implementation of an architecture to connect sensor constellations to the Internet based on open standards (Internet and CCSDS protocols). The main elements are: 1) Security (access control, authentication, and encryption) provided by a mix of IPSEC and the more 'spacelink-friendly&apos