Cisco Space Router (IRIS) Is Orbiting The Earth Now

A Space Systems/Loral technician attaches the IRIS boxes to the Intelsat-14 satellite

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Cisco has successfully launched it's first IP router in space abroad Intelsat's IS-14 satellite on Nov. 23, 2009. The satellite and the router attests a major milestone in  Internet Routing in Space (IRIS) technology.

"This milestone is another step in our strategy to expand borderless networks into space and redefine how satellite communications are delivered.  This technology can help transform satellite communications around the world by reducing latency and increasing the efficiency," said Steven Boutelle, vice president, Cisco Global Government Solutions Group.

Some facts about the Cisco Space Router;

• The IRIS payload will support network services for voice, video and data communications, helping enable government agencies, military units and allied forces to communicate with one another using Internet Protocol and existing ground equipment.
• IRIS offers several enhancements over conventional satellite technology. With IRIS, users will be able to experience a true mobile network — one that helps enable them to connect and communicate how, when and where they want, and that continuously adapts to their needs without a reliance on  predefined, fixed infrastructure.
• IRIS can route data to multiple ground receivers in a single step, eliminating the need to double-hop to a teleport and therefore reducing latency and increasing transponder utilization. The software on the Cisco®  router and onboard modem can be upgraded in orbit, which increases flexibility and the return on investment.
• The IRIS program is a Department of Defense Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) managed by Cisco and Intelsat General Corp. The IRIS payload will convert to commercial use following the three-month JCTD ending in April 2010.
• The in-orbit test was conducted using SEAKR Engineering Inc.'s Application Independent Processor (AIP) which was used to host the router and software-defined radio functions necessary for on-board routing, enabling satellite routing capabilities to be reconfigured and updated dynamically from the ground.
• Cisco will work with satellite manufacturers, system integrators and end users to help enable them to deliver services globally to points outside traditional ground-based networks. 
• Intelsat, the world's leading provider of satellite services, will operate the IS-14 satellite carrying the IRIS hosted payload both during the JCTD test period and following the demonstration when the payload converts to commercial use.

Cisco And IRIS Program information