Seminar: Networking in Space

Space and satellite communications, whether from geostationary or low Earth orbit, are essential for providing global connectivity on Earth and the operation of modern space missions, with services and applications ranging from navigation and remote connectivity to complex scientific and exploration missions. The challenges to these types of communication are long propagation delays, intermittent connectivity, and limited bandwidth. To ensure reliable and efficient data exchange, specialized protocols and system architectures, such as Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), have been proposed and continue to develop.

In this course we will cover the key technologies, architectures, and challenges behind space communication systems, with a focus on how data is transmitted, managed, and coordinated across the unique conditions of space.

Registration for this seminar follows the standard procedure of the Matching System of the Department of Computer Science.

Important Information

• Pre-meeting (online): 17.07.2025 at 12:00 via BBB.
  ○  Slides available here.
• Registration: 18.07.2025 – 22.07.2025 using the matching system
• The seminar sessions will be scheduled in two blocks:
  ○  Two introductory lectures will take place in the beginning of the semester (October/November).
  ○  Towards the end of the semester (January/February) we will organize one or two presentation sessions.
• All sessions require in-person attendance.

Topics

We will provide an initial list of topics and resources associated with those topics; however, students are encouraged to explore their own ideas within the seminar’s scope.

The content of the seminar includes, but is not limited to the following areas:

• Specifications and standards, architectures and protocols
  ○  Mars communication architecture, Bundle protocol.
• Performance evaluation
• Link layer properties and constraints
• Mission-specific data demands
• Tools for modeling and simulation / emulation

(Recommended) course requirements

• The participants are expected to have taken an undergraduate-level course on computer networking.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is required.
• Familiarity with fundamental wireless and optical communications would be beneficial.

Learning outcomes (study goals)

The seminar aims to equip students with foundational knowledge of satellite and interplanetary networking technologies, with a focus on current practical solutions and system architectures. By the end of the course, students will have developed both technical insight into the domain and practical experience in reading, analyzing, and presenting academic literature, as well as writing a technical paper in a format similar to a conference or a workshop.

Teaching and learning methods

The students are expected to:

• Write a critical review of the selected topic, in the format of a research paper and based on a set of assigned papers and additional resources.
• Present the written paper at the end of the seminar.
• Review two other papers written by their peers.

Contact

Ljubica Kärkkäinen, PhD
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Ott