Application of a Bit Torrent-like Protocol and Data Distribution Model to Mission Operations

Current evolution of IP networks has raised the opportunity to consider the use of well-established and mature Internet communication models for use in space missions. One of the most attractive of these models, particularly in terms of distributed and resilient data delivery, is the 'torrent'. A complete implementation of the CCSDS File Delivery Protocol (CFDP) [AD1] has been recently delivered to ESOC. Although CFDP does not rely on IP networks (indeed, it is independent of underlying communication technologies), it does provide a set of services that could be used to implement a torrent-like distribution model.