AN EVALUATION OF TERRESTRIAL WIRELESS NETWORK MODELING APPROACHES FOR THE SPACE MOBILE NETWORK

Abstract

The Space Mobile Network (SMN) is NASA’s next generation architecture concept for communications services between ground and space-based assets. The SMN calls for a paradigm shift in space communications. The transition will move from an approach based on static, preplanned communications over point-to-point channels to a dynamic, event-driven, and network-based approach that facilitates service-oriented communications. In doing so, the SMN is able to leverage some concepts and technologies present in today’s terrestrial wireless networks, while others must be extended or adapted to the space communications domain. This paper provides background on key SMN architectural concepts and an evaluation of the suitability of terrestrial wireless network modeling tools to be used and applied for proving out SMN concepts.