The Internet Launches Into Space

Now that the Internet has dominated Earth, it is moving out into space. It’s a little early to talk about Google ET browsers, but there are moves afoot to take the Internet out there into the vast unknown.

Well, these initial efforts are really about using Internet technologies within the Earth orbits we’re already so familiar with. Someday, though, we may be establishing planet codes and galaxy codes to complement today’s country codes. Let’s see what the first baby steps are all about.

The first endeavor is by Cisco to establish routers in orbit. In fact, the defense department has an entire program known as IRIS or Internet Routing In Space. The idea is to route IP packets between satellites without first having to beam them to Earth. Because of the long distances involved in any transmissions to and from space, it make sense to avoid the round trip to Earth whenever possible. This will also have the advantage of making space networks more autonomous and not subject to interruptions caused by problems on the ground.

The military gets first crack at using the prototype router aboard the Intelsat IS-14 satellite that was launched last year. After an exclusive 3 month DOD test program, the router will be turned over to Cisco for a year long period of commercial tests. After that, who knows? If things work out, there may be all sorts of routers buzzing overhead in the coming years. Some will be used to provide wireless broadband services to Earthlings. Others will be up to who knows what in the deep dark void.

On another front, Twitter has gone into orbit on the International Space Station. Last week, astronaut T. J. Creamer sent the first tweet from space. His first words? “Hello Twitterverse!”

Actually, the astronauts have been able to use email for some time. But this is the first availability of Twitter, the embodiment of Web 2.0, at the Space Station. Perhaps if NASA started monetizing the station as a reality show, they might be able to generate the funding that Congress is so stingy with. They need to launch something called the “Big Brother Module” and start doing kinky things in zero-g. That might be just the ticket to recovering public interest in the space program.

How about the Moon and Mars? It’s technically feasible to have live webcams on those rovers. Now, add the ability of people on Earth to issue rover commands and you’d have a sure-fire killer app. Of course, the fun would be over just as soon as some smart aleck send one of the vehicles over a cliff. Maybe you could have them draw your name in the Martian soil or something equally benign.

We’re just getting started exploring the final frontier that is outer space. Clearly, the Internet will have a big role in “space exploration, the home game.” Scientists may be interested in downloading all sorts of arcane data from spacecraft. The rest of us will just want to drive rovers, spy on astronauts, and tweet with ETs.

Text Messaging To The Stars

When you think of text messaging to the stars, you may fantasize about exchanging messages with Hollywood celebrities. Here’s an opportunity that goes farther. Oh, it goes much, much farther. Actually, 20 light years farther.

You. Yes, you, genuine member of humanity, can be part of a grand text broadcast to another planet. It’s called “Hello From Earth. Send a message to the nearest Earth-like planet outside of our Solar System.” All you have to do is visit the Hello From Earth Website and enter your text message (registration now closed) to the great beyond. In about 20 years it will arrive at the planet Gliese 581d in the constellation Libra, where surprised and delighted ETs will have their little hearts warmed by your message of greeting and affection.

That’s assuming they have little hearts. They may not be so little and they may not have hearts at all. Truth is, we have no idea who we might be cosmo-tweeting or what their reaction might be. Most people figure they can’t go wrong with messages of peace. Some have even invited anonymous aliens to visit our fair planet, even their house.

Not me. I grew up on “The Outer Limits”, “Twilight Zone” and “Science Fiction Theater.” These predated the “Alien” series of movies, but offered similar cautionary tales. Sure, you might be trolling to get some really weird additions to your Facebook friends. But what if all you’re really doing is awaking some sleeping giants? Worse, what if they are bored with their usual cuisine and on the lookout for a new place to dine? That’s why the message I’m sending is:

“Don't even think about eating us. We taste terrible and are poisonous to extra terrestrial life forms.”

Laugh it off if you like, but just remember “To Serve Man” turned out to be a cookbook. If that makes no sense, Google it and learn the shocking truth.

Now that you’ve been warned, take a few minutes to think up something appropriate to message the citizens of Gliese 581d. I’ll bet they have a better name than that for their planet. They probably have us listed as Zorkzik 9267k. Won’t it be a hoot if we both call our planets Earth?

So, who’s behind this Interplanetary Internet communications project? It’s none other than COSMOS magazine. They think it is a cool way to promote National Science Week in Australia and the International Year of Astronomy. At the end of Science Week, NASA is going to transmit all the messages they’ve accepted via the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex in Tidbinbilla.

Then all you have to do is wait about 40 years (20 to get there and 20 back) to see what Gliese 581d has to say. My guess is that once they know we’re here we’ll start getting a flood of intergalactic spam. Unless, of course, their bodies are actually made out of Spam. Then who’s going out for dinner?