Deep-Reuse-Enabled Common Satellite Network via Collaborative Blockchains: Architecture, Challenges, and Solutions

Satellite networks, as a recent deployment for technical and economic progress, have shown great advantages to provide diversiform Internet services. However, the networks are grappling with severe congestion caused by a surge in simultaneous requests, which has become more prevalent due to the widespread adoption of satellite constellations. The reuse of satellite components or orbital computing is a practicable method to detach thi^s hindrance, but current approaches have only achieved customized services, and limited access, as well as one-way profits with satellites serving users. Additionally, the unrecorded distribution and centralized management of satellite networks may result in contentious interaction and exposed infrastructure. In this article, we first propose an architecture of Deep-reuse-enabled Common Satellite Network via Collaborative Blockchains (named DCSN-CB), where the notion of deep reuse is described from resources and information. Then, we highlight potential security and efficiency issues faced by DCSN-CB from the viewpoint of authentication, command control, and data management. As a countermeasure, we outline the prospective blockchain-based technologies, namely, the cross-domain authentication, digital-twins-enabled edge computing, and data auto-audit. The further estimations of these solutions indeed demonstrate their feasibility. Finally, we point out several interesting directions for future efforts in this emerging field.

Introduction

Terrestrial Networks (TNs) play a critical role in current communication services. However, infrastructure vulnerability and terrain obstruction make remote areas hardly obtain adequate access and thereby expand the digital divide. Satellite Networks (SNs), as a major component of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), offer a promising solution to bridge the digital divide with fair and vast coverage. Notably, high real-time scenarios still mainly depend on ground stations. Thus, a prospective trend is combining TNs and NTNs (especially SNs) to create a global seamless connection [1].