Deployed Internets: A Broad
Range of Possible Configurations
• A single lander with an IPN gateway to a (real or
virtual) internal network
• Small number of cooperating robots on planetary
surface (e.g. Single lander, single rover)
• Orbiter-to-surface communication and
coordination (e.g. sample return recovery)
• Multiple beyond-line-of-sight missions connected
by low-orbit communication satellites
• Planet-stationary satellites for relay and gateway
functions
• Spacecraft on-board LANs
• The Earth’s Internet