US military plans to put internet router in space
The US military plans to test an internet router in space, in a project that could also benefit civilian broadband satellite communications.
Cisco Systemsand Intelsat General, a subsidiary of Intelsat, are among the companies selected by the US Department of Defence for its Internet Routing In Space (IRIS) project, which aims to deliver military communications through a satellite-based router.
Potential non-military benefits of the IRIS program include the ability to route IP traffic between satellites in space in much the same way packets are moved on the ground, reducing delays, saving on capacity and offering greater networking flexibility, says Lloyd Wood, space initiatives manager in the Global Defense, Space & Security division of Cisco.
