Constellation Networking

Author: CislunarSpace

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

Constellation Networking is the technology of interconnecting multiple satellites through inter-satellite links and routing protocols to form a unified satellite network. A networked constellation is no longer a collection of independently operating satellites, but an integrated system with capabilities for information aggregation and distribution, onboard computation, and information processing.

Core Elements

  • Laser-microwave hybrid inter-satellite links maintain long-term stable, uninterrupted connections between satellites
  • Forming a constant satellite network topology

Onboard Routing

  • Onboard network information devices serve as the central processing hub
  • Distributed computation enables dynamic link planning and dynamic routing planning
  • Supporting an integrated network-computation information processing model

Dynamic Management

  • Dynamic allocation and scheduling of communication resources based on user spacecraft access information, constellation satellite resources, and spatial topology
  • Dynamic link planning (including dynamic beam pointing) and dynamic routing planning across the entire constellation

Applications in Cislunar Space

In the cislunar communication architecture based on the BeiDou satellite system, constellation networking has the following characteristics:

  • Intra-BeiDou constellation networking: 30 BeiDou satellites form a unified network through inter-satellite links
  • Extension to cislunar space: Payloads installed on the space-facing side of satellites extend networking capability to deep-space user spacecraft
  • Catalogued user management: User spacecraft are catalogued after network access verification and receive communication services through the constellation network
  • Three service modes: Low-rate short messages (~400 bit/s), medium-rate microwave (100 kbit/s ~ 10 Mbit/s), high-rate laser (100 Mbit/s ~ 10 Gbit/s)

References

  • Duan Z, Wang J, Fan Y. Research on the Development of Beidou Satellites Based on Full-Time Communication and Navigation in the Earth-Moon Space[J]. Journal of Telemetry, Tracking and Command, 2026.
  • Chen Z, Wu X. General design of the third generation BeiDou navigation satellite system[J]. Journal of Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, 2020, 52(6): 835-845.