The technological advance can’t be stopped. And a good proof of this is a new message announced by US government: they plan to put a first internet router in space. The Department of Defense’s Iris project will put an internet router in space by the start of 2009. It will allow voice, video and data communications for US troops using standards developed for the internet. Eventually Iris could extend the net into space, allowing data to flow directly between satellites, rather than sending it via ground stations. “Iris is to the future of satellite-based communications what Arpanet was to the creation of the internet in the 1960s,” said Don Brown, of Intelsat General, one of the companies who will build the platform.

The Iris (Internet Router Protocol in Space) project has been given the go ahead after winning funding from the US Department of Defense, under its Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) programme. The programme aims to develop advanced concepts and put “innovative concepts into the hands of war fighters in the field.” The Iris project is one of seven that has been given funding this year. Others include development of smart sensors and counter camouflage technology. The specially designed equipment will be developed by network specialist Cisco while the geostationary satellite, IS-14, will be built by Intelsat. When launched in 2009 it will allow troops to communicate over the internet from the remotest regions from Europe Africa and the Americas. “Iris extends the internet into space, integrating satellite systems and the ground infrastructure for warfighters, first responders and others who need seamless and instant communications,” said Bill Shernit, CEO of Intelsat general. After initial testing the satellite will be opened up for commercial use. I think it’s just a matter of days till someone comes with a theory of special spying satellites and their secret usage by this programme – but that’s something already possible with current technology…

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