The Secret History of the Internet

Mars Networking

The development of networking technologies for Mars missions has been a complex journey. Marques Brownlee explains that the idea of an interplanetary backbone network emerged from the need to handle the vast distances between planets, which create significant delays in communication. Traditional TCP/IP protocols were inadequate for the 40-minute round trips required for data transmission between Earth and Mars, prompting the creation of new protocols that consider relativity and the speed of light 1. The first successful Mars mission in 1976 with Viking landers was followed by a long gap until the Pathfinder mission in 1997, which marked a turning point in Mars exploration and data transmission 2.

TCP, not exactly built to handle round trips that take 40 minutes.

--- Marques Brownlee

The Pathfinder mission's success led to serious discussions about future networking needs for Mars missions.

   

Data Transmission

Data transmission from Mars has faced numerous challenges, including slow data rates and overheating equipment. Marques Brownlee describes how massive satellite dishes in locations like Canberra, Madrid, and California were used to collect data from Mars at a sluggish rate of 28 kbps, which was not ideal for the researchers 3. The overheating of rover radios necessitated the development of a new method called "store and forward," which differs from traditional packet switching by ensuring all data reaches one node before moving to the next. This method evolved into a mesh networking system, strategically positioning satellites to relay data and minimize packet loss.

Imagine you just send these rovers over and they just start transmitting data and they just burn up.

--- Marques Brownlee

This innovation was crucial in overcoming the limitations of direct data transmission from Mars.

   

Interplanetary Internet

The concept of an interplanetary Internet involves extending Earth's Internet infrastructure into space. Marques Brownlee highlights the potential of placing strategic orbiters throughout the solar system to facilitate faster data transmission between planets 4. This vision includes using Lagrange points, which are stable positions in space, to station satellites that can relay information efficiently. The growing commercial interest in space exploration, with companies like SpaceX, is accelerating the development of this interplanetary network 5.

I just like the idea that you have, like, little nest Wi Fi is just floating in space, like, transmitting data.

--- Marques Brownlee

This ambitious project could revolutionize how we communicate across the solar system.