Session Date/Time: 07 Nov 2024 13:00

deepspace

Summary

This IETF Birds of a Feather (BoF) session explored the potential for chartering a working group focused on IP-based space networking, particularly for lunar and potentially Martian environments. Presentations highlighted use cases, challenges related to long delays and intermittent connectivity, and potential areas of work. A revised charter proposal was discussed, and community feedback was gathered through informal polls regarding scope and interest.

Key Discussion Points

Scope of "Deep Space": The name "deepspace" is a misnomer. Initial deployments are focused on lunar networking, with potential extensions to Mars. The focus is on IP-based space networks, complementing DTN (Bundle Protocol).
Use Cases: Presentations highlighted IP-based networks planned for lunar orbiters, habitats, rovers, and Earth-Moon links. Commercial lunar service providers are emerging.
Challenges:
- Long, variable delays (e.g., Earth-Moon: 1.3 seconds one-way; Earth-Mars: 8-45 minutes one-way).
- Intermittent connectivity due to orbital dynamics.
- Need for interoperability between lunar and terrestrial networks and with DTN-based networks.
- Address assignment and management on the lunar surface.
- Appropriate transport protocols for long RTTs and disconnections.
- Adaptation of application protocols with timeouts and flow control mechanisms.
- Time synchronization across networks.
Architecture Considerations:
- Storage and forward mechanisms at Layer 2 or Layer 3 to handle intermittent connectivity.
- Buffer management and provisioning.
- Considerations for IPV6 and different transports apart from TCP.
- Potential use of transport proxies (e.g., QUIC proxies) and MASQUE.
- Avoiding DNS resolution over deep space links through pre-fetching and caching.
Charter Discussion:
- Debate on whether to include Mars in the initial scope.
- Clarification of "end-to-end" in the context of space networks.
- Whether it should be focus on low complexity communications.

Decisions and Action Items

Action Item: Chairs to revise the charter proposal based on community feedback. Revisions will consider:
- Refining the description of the scope to accurately represent space agencies' plans.
- Clarifying whether the working group will evaluate and contrast rather than write the IP architecture, with consideration of an adaption.
- Clarifying that the work focuses on scenarios with potential direct point to point communication possibility.
- Specifying whether existing protocols will be profiled, or extended.
- Refining the description of the scope to more accurately represent space agencies plans.
- Adding Security to the area of work.
- Referencing security framework other than TLS as options.
- Review whether working group should focus on quick or additional protocols.
Decision: To take charter refinement efforts to the mailing list for further discussion and finalization.

Next Steps

Chairs will circulate a revised charter proposal on the mailing list.
Community to provide feedback on the revised charter.
The Area Director (AD) and IESG will assess community support for the charter and determine whether to charter a working group.