NASA's interplanetary Internet tests a success

[xtop]

http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/19/n...t-cerf-triump/

NASA is reporting the first successful tests of its Deep Space Network modeled after Earth's own Internet. Instead of using TCP/IP, however, the interplanetary communication network relies upon DTN (Disruption-Tolerant Networking) co-developed by none other than Google's Vinton Cerf. As such, NASA's network does not assume a continuous end-to-end connection -- if a link is lost due to solar storms or a planetary eclipse, the communication node will store the information until the connection is re-established. So, what's the big deal you rightly ask, after all, we've been (purposely) transmitting data to and from space for a half-century. As Leigh Torgerson, manager of NASA's DTN Experiment Operations Center explains it:

"In space today, an operations team must manually schedule each link and generate all the commands to specify which data to send, when to send it, and where to send it. With standardized DTN, this can all be done automatically."

Testing of the Deep Space Network began in October with twice-weekly communications between NASA's Epoxi spacecraft (on a mission to rendezvous with Comet Hartley 2) and nine ground-based nodes meant to simulate Mars landers, orbiters, and operation centers. The International Space Station is scheduled to join the testing next summer. Although the nature of the data transmitted wasn't specified, we can only presume that it was laced with Google ads for Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong.


cool stuff!

[mikejet]

I can't wait to get some SPAM from aliens!

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by mikejet

I can't wait to get some SPAM from aliens!

The SPAM would be really outdated, as the information has to travel vast differences, but ill be expecting this

To: Earth
From: Aliens
Subject: Ewoks, wtf?

Dear earthlings, we enjoyed the first two establisments of your Star Wars saga, but wtf, why did you put those Ewoks things in there. There is no way they could beat imperial troops. That makes no sense, your intelligence is in question.


Re: Oh! You guys havn't seen anything yet, wait til you get Episode I in a decade.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

The SPAM would be really outdated, as the information has to travel vast differences, but ill be expecting this

To: Earth
From: Aliens
Subject: Ewoks, wtf?

Dear earthlings, we enjoyed the first two establisments of your Star Wars saga, but wtf, why did you put those Ewoks things in there. There is no way they could beat imperial troops. That makes no sense, your intelligence is in question.


Re: Oh! You guys havn't seen anything yet, wait til you get Episode I in a decade.

HAHAHA. Thanks, that just made my morning.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

The SPAM would be really outdated, as the information has to travel vast differences, but ill be expecting this

To: Earth
From: Aliens
Subject: Ewoks, wtf?

Dear earthlings, we enjoyed the first two establisments of your Star Wars saga, but wtf, why did you put those Ewoks things in there. There is no way they could beat imperial troops. That makes no sense, your intelligence is in question.


Re: Oh! You guys havn't seen anything yet, wait til you get Episode I in a decade.

Yeah, even the Aliens knwo that the Ewoks are filipino!

[Forrestandjen07]

nasa has also developed a machine that turns urine into fresh drinking water

[stockstar1138]

Originally Posted by Forrestandjen07

nasa has also developed a machine that turns urine into fresh drinking water

warner just went BD exclusive.

[Forrestandjen07]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

warner just went BD exclusive.

mmmm k

[jkwest]

Originally Posted by Forrestandjen07

nasa has also developed a machine that turns urine into fresh drinking water

but, its sterile...and, I like the way it tastes!!