S@tMax: Commercial Space-Based Mobile IP for Vehicles - Economic Feasibility
- Paper number
IAC-06-B3.4.06
- Author
Mr. Bart Peeters, Ursa Minor, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. George Gafka, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Johnson Space Center, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Joerg Kreisel, JOERG KREISEL International Consultant (JKIC), Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Zeger de Groot, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr Herve Kerouedan, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Robert Mueller, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)/Kennedy Space Center, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
As personal mobility increases, the average time per person spent in vehicles increases. Furthermore, a significant portion of today’s workforce is part of a growing mobile service industry. Thus, connectivity is desired anywhere, any time and at any velocity. Specific features of satellite infrastructures coupled with a rapid technological progress in space-based communication and navigation are potential keys in answering this customer need. This paper details the rigorous business case for user-centric connectivity to roaming workers in the continental USA via a space based IP-network: “S@tMax”.
Market & Business: Today’s commuting time could be better utilized and mobile business transactions could be more efficiently conducted by integrating mobile wireless services (such as VoIP, WAN extension to business networks, credit card transactions, billing, invoicing, location based services and general internet access) in vehicles. The market potential is considerable. Today, there are over 220 million cars on US roads and these should be accessible within the life-cycle of a typical car, which is approximately 3-5 years. A vehicle fully integrated into the IP-network is realistic from a user perspective since today there are already 18 million US-cars equipped with satellite navigation systems. This paper will outline the full business case, including market definition and penetration plan based on an assessment of associated risks.
System & Services: Through S@tMax, today’s car will be tomorrow’s office. Business users will be able to access all the office services while being on the road, e.g. VoIP, WAN extension to business networks, credit card transactions, billing, invoicing, location based services and general internet access. Also the car itself will be part of the IP-network enabling, for example, remote software upgrades by car manufactures. In addition, police, fire brigade, ambulances, the National Guard and the military will be able to reliably and securely access the communication services they require to serve and protect. Also in leisure times S@tMax will be up and running, entertaining travelers with additional features like the latest movies or games. The S@tMax system will implement these services by means of direct-to-mobile user internet access and total IP services integrated into automobiles. The system will consist of a communications satellite augmented by local ground elements via strategic partnerships. In addition on-orbit servicing (OOS) will be investigated as an an enabling element of future space infrastructure.
Process & Outlook: To assess the commercial potential of newly emerging space-based business concepts, a generic and flexible business tool was developed and then customized for this particular business case. As a result of a detailed business engineering process, various business concepts were traded against criteria like profitability, sustainability, feasibility and attractiveness to private investors. The selected concept was optimized to maximize the business result. As part of this business engineering process the OOS was evaluated from a business point of view and as enabling factor of the space segment. Critical space issues as reliability, timeliness, standardization as well as cost-efficiency and other business-related risks and real world factors are taken into account. The presented approach is considered an important step toward providing main roadway IP coverage for quasi-continuous communication and services based on a realistic case scenario that goes beyond traditional space project management planning.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B3.4.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.