What innovations will IoT in space bring? | Interview with Air Direct Solutions’ Paul Kostek

Paul Kostek, systems engineer at Air Direct Solutions, a US systems engineering and project management services company, talks to IoT Insider about the growing phenomenon of IoT in space and what innovation the growing developments in it will bring the broader IoT sphere.

What can you tell us about IoT’s history and how the push for space exploration has affected it?

Many of the technological innovations that we use today were inspired by the original moon landing, more than 50 years ago. For example, while the first real-time embedded digital computer, the Apollo Guidance Computer, was limited in its capabilities, it pushed the development from room-size machines towards the smart phone sized systems in use today. It is worth noting that Apollo engineers had to reduce the size of the computers of the day to fit in the limited space of a space shuttle. This significantly helped to shape future applications of IoT, because the success of the Apollo missions led to the incorporation of smaller computers into commercial and military aircraft, as well as its commercial use in science and financial services.

Once devices were successfully implemented on missions in space, researchers began to explore how the technology could be used on Earthbound systems. Particularly, as they needed to develop smaller, faster and more reliable systems. Satellites are a good example of devices that gather data, collect images and transmit information with the data collected being sent to ground stations and then to the final users in government or university labs.

Digital technology continued to grow faster and smaller, transitioning from the space programme to the commercial market and eventually leading to the development of PCs, mobile phones and then smartphones. Now, IoT is steadily being deployed in rural and undeveloped areas where access to medical care is limited. For example, if fears of a new communicable disease were to arise, data could be shared quickly with a lab and the areas of the outbreak to try to contain the spread of disease. As it currently stands, many smart buildings have already incorporated sensors to adjust temperature and lighting based on the presence of people in rooms to lower energy waste.

What are the current and future applications of IoT and their challenges?

When it comes to applications in space, IoT currently has more conceptual uses than physical applications. There are still many obstacles that need to be overcome before it can be implemented practically. According to research by Techjury by 2030, it is estimated that there will be approximately 25.4 billion IoT devices in use once these applications begin to take shape.

The European Union began the IoT European Platform Initiative to assist businesses that are implementing IoT projects. One proposal involves leveraging IoT and satellite technology to deliver internet connectivity to areas of the world that currently lack access. As it currently stands, several organisations, have been looking into this already. However, the power requirements and broadband cost currently limit the functionality.

Another possible use would be to connect terrestrial IoT networks with satellites to create low-power WAN (LPWAN) in space. LPWAN would require less bandwidth and power and provide the ability to scale the number of connections. This is still in the conceptual phase and questions must still be answered, such as how many satellites should be launched, how large should they be, where should IoT networks be installed and what should the standard for network connections look like?

Why do you believe growing interest in space exploration is bringing innovations for IoT?

The enthusiasm for space exploration is driving innovation across the IoT. Satellite constellations offer amplified potential to utilise IoT sensors for comprehensive tracking purposes, from animal migration and storms to the movement of people on earth. In space, IoT can be used to determine satellite performance and availability as well as provide status on space vehicles, probes in orbit or on the surface of a planet.

How could these IoT innovations be used?

IoT will be a key technology used in the development of new space stations and other commercial developments for example, hotels in space. They will also be used to support Moon and Mars based facilities. The ability to monitor system performance, identify damage or potential failure areas will be serviced by IoT devices.

What is the utility in bringing IoT to space?

With too many systems to be monitored just by the crews, or ground station teams, IoT will provide information on system issues with the highest priority. We can expect that with the expanded use of AI, IoT inputs can be assessed and recommendations provided on actions or even taken automatically such as, isolating a failed section on a space station or rerouting information to different satellites.”

What are the challenges IoT use faces in space?

An obstacle that needs addressing is the cost of IoT networks in space. Costs are based on the data rate because IoT is still in the development stage. The use of space-based systems has two major Issues – latency and bandwidth. They cannot compete with the performance of ground-based systems. Once developers fully establish IoT networks and the interfaces to satellites, the costs for data transfer will shift to the number of connections.

Organisations hoping to develop IoT in space must address the cost of connecting a new network to a satellite and how to process finances before a satellite responds to a new request. It is important for developers to plan how a satellite would interface with a new network request. This includes deciphering whether IT administrators should manage requests from a ground station, or whether the satellite itself should manage them using AI. When the organisations developing IoT in space tackle any barriers, organisations that use the network will be charged per device connection, not for the data transfer.

A European Union funded project, known as IoTEE (Internet of Things Everywhere on Earth), is currently focusing on the telemetry between a low powered satellite in ISS (International Space Station) and a terrestrial infrastructure. The aim is to broaden the horizon of IoT with the help of space and bring more benefits to the global market in terms of cost and tracking possibilities.

How can organisations plan for IoT In space?

Businesses can plan for IoT in space by ensuring that the designs incorporate the ability to add connections (physical and data) to IoT sensors. Standards are already being developed and will need to be utilised to plan for IoT implementation including architecture, data protocols and security.

What is the future of IoT in space?

The future of IoT in space looks promising. With the continued investment from organisations and international governments, we can expect to see new opportunities and markets emerge with the Internet of Space Things (loST) taking form alongside a new class of small satellites. In addition to this, the global demand for connectivity is opening avenues for new space technology, precision spatial analytics and satellites. The existing infrastructure in space is currently used for navigation, connectivity and weather observations. However, applications can be utilised to overcome the constraints involved currently in IoT, and the gaps in space technologies can be filled out with IoT.

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