Future Development of a Global Space Information and Communications Infrastructure

Abstract

Information is a prerequisite for the making of reasoned decisions. In the current era this information can take many forms, for example telephony, video, scientific data, etc. The corollary to the importance of information is that the mechanisms for its provision and distribution are equally critical.

As the world moves increasingly towards the information age, the timely provision of relevant material becomes crucial. However, relevancy depends on the needs of the end-user since the information required may vary, for example, from a simple telephone message, through a weather forecast, to urgent medical data.

To date, many terrestrial and space technologies have been developed to deliver information (e.g. fibre optics and geostationary communications satellites), but the cost of access to such systems has meant that their direct use has been beyond the scope of the bulk of the world’s population. Systems to provide telephonic and low rate messaging for the developing world are currently under design. These use substantially different architectures from those employed previously. System providers believe they will offer cost-effective and pertinent services to both the developed and developing countries.

Recently, other forms of information have also become available such as high accuracy positioning data available via GPS and, in the future, GNSS. Furthermore, the volume of information from new Earth-observing and meteorology systems has required the development of data distribution systems which link the space and ground segments very closely.

Characterising these disparate units under the general heading of information systems, it may be seen that, although connectivity exists on the ground side, substantial cross-linking on the space side has not yet occurred. This is partly a result of commercial and politico-legal considerations which have significant effects in controlling information flow. Depending on viewpoint, information/provision may be viewed either as a commodity which may be bought and sold or as a service to improve the lot of the recipient.

This paper considers the above aspects in the context of the general supply of information by space systems, discussing the previously mentioned topics as well as presenting possible future developments of a global space information and communications infrastructure. Implications for the evolutionary impact of this on different nations and cultures are also addressed.