High Rate Delay/Disruption Tolerant Network (DTN) (HRDTN)

Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)

Description

Develop high speed (>600Mbps) DTN Bundle Protocol implementation in flight like hardware with interfaces to NASA's core Flight System (cFS) storage, telemetry and management applications. Common implementation capable of supporting multiple NASA mission scenarios including orbiter/lander and formation flying missions.

Benefits

DTN has the potential to improve science return, increase data rates, reduce operational/implementation complexity, and enable new mission concepts. Unlike current spacecraft data transfer mechanisms, DTN is a standard suite of network layer protocols functionally equivalent to UDP/IP and TCP/IP including end to end routing over multiple hops. DTN differs in that it is designed to operate over the long delays and disruptions common in space communications

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Internetworking > Disruption Tolerant Networking
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2018-10-01
End date	2019-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Jacqueline J Le Moigne-stewart — jacqueline.j.lemoigne-stewart@nasa.gov
Jason W Mitchell — jason.w.mitchell@nasa.gov
Lavida D Cooper — lavida.d.cooper@nasa.gov
Jonathan J Wilmot — jonathan.j.wilmot@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.