Military agencies have proposed a concept to create a “hybrid” space architecture by interconnecting commercial and government satellite networks, commonly referred to as the “outernet.” The aim is to enable seamless communication across diverse government and commercial systems, but industry executives have expressed scepticism about the feasibility of such a network.
The U.S. Space Force and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) have championed the idea of a hybrid space network, envisioning a resilient network that can adapt and self-heal even if individual nodes are blocked or compromised. Industry groups and congressional committees have also endorsed this concept. However, during a recent New York Space Business Roundtable event, executives raised concerns about the practicality of implementing such a network.
One of the key challenges highlighted by industry experts is the fundamental differences in satellite communication systems. These systems operate on divergent protocols and technical standards, making seamless integration a formidable task. William Mudge, Vice President of U.S. Engineering Operations at telecommunications firm Speedcast, likened the situation to the disparity between Bluetooth and WiFi.
Mudge pointed out that the market includes dominant low Earth orbit players like SpaceX‘s Starlink, as well as geostationary and medium Earth satellite operators, all with vastly different technologies and standards. These distinctions extend beyond orbital characteristics to include beam technologies and inter-satellite laser links needed for data transmission, creating significant complexities that hinder standardization efforts.
While Starlink represents a vertically integrated solution, other satellite operators are offering multi-vendor solutions to meet government demands for a flexible architecture with satellites operating in different frequency bands. This divergence in the industry is leading to the standardization of waveforms and intersatellite links within specific segments.
Joe Bernabucci, Director of Strategy at Hughes Network Systems, emphasized that industry players might not adopt common standards for a hybrid space network unless a major customer commits to substantial purchases or extended contracts. Achieving compatibility across the board, especially for technologies like free space optical communication, would require significant coordination.
Steve Nixon, President and Co-founder of the SmallSat Alliance acknowledged the role his organization played in advocating for a hybrid network. He suggested that industry collaboration and the formation of a consortium could help address the challenges. Industry consortia have successfully developed hundreds of standards and protocols across various sectors, and a similar approach could be applied to space communication.
On the military side, Nixon noted that ground terminals could provide access to multiple networks. While connecting satellites in space is complex and requires standards, progress is being made, and the military is testing hybrid terminals capable of communicating with multiple satellite constellations simultaneously.
In conclusion, the vision of a “hybrid” space network, or the “outernet,” faces significant technical and coordination challenges. However, industry experts and advocates believe that collaborative efforts, standards development, and the involvement of major customers, such as government and defence agencies, could pave the way for a more interconnected and resilient space communication ecosystem.
