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In-Depth Use Case article on Commercial Space Stations
April 30, 2025
Always on: IDRS enables continuous connectivity for commercial space stations
Traditionally, space station missions administered by NASA have relied on its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). However, in 2022, NASA announced plans to gradually phase out TDRSS and consider commercial options to support future space missions. This transition marks a significant milestone in space communications.
Leveraging Viasat’s BGAN GEO satellites, the Inter-satellite Data Relay System (IDRS) is the world's first space-based communication system utilizing LEO-GEO inter-satellite links. Since its first commercial launch in late 2020, IDRS has been adopted by numerous LEO satellite operators requiring real-time, always-on communication for various global space missions. As we enter the era of commercial space stations, IDRS will play a crucial role in replacing the communication functions of TDRSS supporting future commercial and sovereign space missions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
IDRS revolutionizes connectivity by enabling ground operation centers to request and receive information from space stations and satellites with near-real-time, persistent communication. This supports critical operations, such as monitoring systems, real-time decision-making, and time-sensitive experiments requiring prompt feedback.
In this article, we will outline three key areas where IDRS unlocks critical advantages for commercial space stations through its always-on, real-time connectivity.
Instant connectivity between IT infrastructure onboard the Space Station and the terrestrial network
IDRS utilizes Internet Protocol (IP) and supports contemporary networking protocols, such as TCP/IP for secure data transmission and dynamic routing between spacecraft and ground hubs. Through IDRS, the space station functions as an IP node responsible for managing time-critical operational and scientific tasks. Onboard space platforms such as micro-gravity experiments can be assigned IP addresses when connected to a LAN onboard the space station with always-on connectivity to the terrestrial network via IDRS. This capability facilitates improving resource management, enabling predictive maintenance, and facilitating in-space scientific investigations.
By enabling seamless integration of the space station's IT infrastructure with terrestrial networks, IDRS supports applications such as station-keeping and monitoring, space-research, crew communication and more.
Real-time results with instant data transfer
IDRS removes the need to wait for ground station passes. This eliminates any delay for customers wishing to monitor experiments happening on the space station, as they can receive critical results in real-time from any location on the ground. This is especially valuable for multinational projects or stations serving international customers. Indeed, IDRS enhances operational efficiency and simplifies communication logistics by supplementing or decreasing the dependency on a network of ground-based data relay stations. This optimization lowers expenses for commercial operators.
Improved operational efficiency for optical communication devices
IDRS can serve as a valuable adjunct to space-based optical communications. Optical communication terminals necessitate highly precise and dynamic pointing to establish an optical link, which is complicated by the relative motion between space-based optical devices. This challenge can be alleviated through the use of IDRS, which facilitates an always-on control channel to carry out the dynamic alignment and synchronization information necessary for establishing and maintaining an optical communication session.
For a space station that needs to transfer large volumes of data to a ground-based optical communication station, IDRS can offer timely updates on weather conditions surrounding the ground station and facilitate the setup process to prepare for the establishment of the optical link, thereby significantly enhancing the efficiency of such operations.
To learn more about the opportunities that IDRS is bringing to commercial space station connectivity, book a call with our team.