Cisco Views IRIS Experiment as Market Primer for Space Routers

摘要

Cisco Systems Inc. saw its first space-based Internet router launched Nov. 23 aboard a commercial communications satellite, and the networking technology giant believes demonstrations for various commercial and government customers over the next year will lead to additional orders for the hardware.rnSan Jose, Calif .-based Cisco built the router for the U.S. Defense Department's Internet Routing in Space (IRIS) technology demonstration. U.S. Strategic Command in 2007 contracted with Intelsat General Corp. of Bethesda, Md., a subsidiary of satellite fleet operator Intelsat oi Bermuda and Washington, to host the pay-load aboard the Intelsat 14 satellite. After numerous delays, the satellite was successfully launched toward the 45 degrees west longitude orbital slot aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.