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Software-Defined Satellite Will Be Launched Soon (bbc.com)
kbahey writes: Traditionally, large satellites are configured on the ground for specific tasks that cannot be changed after launch, even if market demands evolve. The new "Quantum" satellite scheduled to be launched soon, will change all that: its coverage, bandwidth, power and frequency can all be altered in orbit. The 3.5-ton spacecraft will be operated by Paris-based telecom operator Eutelsat, in a R&D partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), with manufacturer Airbus acting as the prime contractor. A company official stated that the satellite "will bring unprecedented flexibility to our customers, allowing for in-orbit payload re-configuration and taking customization to a new level, while also opening the way to a paradigm shift in the manufacture of telecommunications satellites." The BBC says "being able to totally reconfigure an in-orbit platform would allow an operator to adapt to any shifts in the business landscape -- without the need to build and launch another bespoke platform." All the operator would have to do is simply reprogram the existing satellite.
With stearable horn(s) to bounce off the flat reflector or the flat reflector is a phased array to steer the beams.
Wonderful seeing SDR being used. Hopefully the internet LEO constellation being put up later will incorporate these ideas. That's the one thing that needs the flexibility.
Yes, the satellite can be reprogrammed within certain limits, but it cannot be changed into a weather data collection or a mapping satellite just by doing some reprogramming. That will need to wait for a satellite with general purpose 3D printing and robot manufacturing built in, as well as uploadable software. I suspect that is not on the immediate horizon.
the difference was; rolling TVs from before did not watch us?
Hackable satellites!
Traditional satellite networks depend on the closed and planned architecture. Thus, there are many challenges such as configuration update, new communication and networking technologies introduction, truly-differentiated services provision, satellite network device interoperability, and the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks. Software-defined networking (SDN) has the features of flexibility, programmability, and logical centralization, which increases network resource utilization, simplifies network management, reduces operating cost, and promotes the evolution and innovation. In this paper, a new software-defined architecture for next-generation satellite networks, called SoftSpace, is presented.
service
Sounds like someone is thinking outside the box, leveraging some core competencies and hitting the ground running. An amazing display of synergy and proactivity if you ask me. I bet it runs on a blockchain on the cloud.
is this modelled after 'modern' software development?
you know, like in games and certain other software, where after the first install (on release day) you get to install immense patches fixing stuff.
so after launch and deployment in space, the first thing it will have to do is get a software update, and another one and another and...
and let's not talk about the risk that the update mechanism will get hacked and then anything is possible.
On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
The AI satellite is made obsolete by it.
The Cyber satellite made obsolete by that.
Good, now the Russians and the Chinese can hack our satellites.
SDR on a satellite. Who would have thought this would happen already today instead of in the far future, like 2019 or so ?
Our Satellites hit the ground running. Yes, that makes a wonderful horror movie...
Sounds like someone is thinking outside the box, leveraging some core competencies and hitting the ground running. An amazing display of synergy and proactivity if you ask me. I bet it runs on a blockchain on the cloud.
It runs blockchain Above the cloud!
Have gnu, will travel.
...not specifically with satellites, but other equipment. It rarely actually happens where there will reconfigure the existing equipment. Many of these non-military satellites are shared with many tenants. The chances of them being able to move all services off to another satellite reconfigure it are slim to none.
It would be cool to see it actually happen. But history isn't on their side.
"A plan fiendishly clever in its intricacies"- Homer Simpson
Sounds like they have all kicked their ducks on to the same hymn sheet too
Get back to me when it uses graphene in a turnkey solution, divesting innovative financial strategies to achieve an open door policy.
Foosball in the foyer!
... no one can see your blue screen.
i thought all satellites already do this...guess i'm wrong