BLOCKSATCOM

Next generation of systems

Status

Completed
Status date

2022-09-19
Activity Code

1B.130

Objectives

This project was aimed at:

Identify potential use cases and applications for Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) that can be implemented in future SatCom systems (implemented in space) and provide with a justification for the need of making use of space-based infrastructure.
Identify features of the SatCom market that could benefit from the use of DLT applications.
Assess the feasibility, performance, and benefits of satellite-based DLT systems.
Define the system architecture most suited for the implementation of the identified DLT use cases, taking into account the regulatory environment and governance for such systems.
Inform the community about the capabilities and feasibility of the DLT use cases in SatCom systems, and define technology developments necessary to make them a reality.

Challenges

The key challenges of this project were the following:

To identify and analyze meaningful use cases with potential benefits of using DLT for SatCom systems.
To identify and analyze meaningful use cases with potential benefits of using Satcom systems for DLT.
To organize a Stakeholder workshop and attract relevant players in the SatCom as well as DLT / blockchain industries.
To define a reference architecture for a satellite mission exploiting DLT.
To provide a systematic overview of the identified technological and regulatory gaps towards implementing and operating the DLT/blockchain-based systems identified.

Benefits

The study should identify the benefits of use of DLT / blockchain applications in the SatCom market and how DLT that can be used to improve specific SatCom related operations, although the main focus of this study shall be to identify the DLT use cases that can be implemented in future satellite systems and attempt to define the system architecture most suited for their implementation.

Features

The objective was proposing a series of the most promising DLT uses cases to be enhanced by space assets. To this end, both the DLT / blockchain and SatCom stakeholders need to be involved.

And finally, the architecture of such ‘DLT / blockchain meets space’ initiative was to be designed together with a clear roadmap (technical, programmatic, regulatory and ethic aspect).

System Architecture

The system architecture covered the subset of DLT uses cases identified. In addition, the framework proposed is designed as an agnostic framework where other uses cases can be deployed with a previous integration development.

Architecture definition for selected DLT systems tackled the architectural aspects of such intersection between the DLT / blockchain and the SatCom worlds.

Plan

The second phase focused on the analysis of how DLT could be assisted by satellites and satellite communications, thus taking DLT elements into space, although it also included how the use of DLT can help to SatCom systems.

The third phase covered the definition of the most suitable system architecture for the implementation of the largest possible subset of identified DLT use cases.

The fourth phase defined the development and operating costs, timelines and architecture roadmap of the satellite-based DLT system identified in the third phase.

In the final phase of the project a systematic overview of the identified technological and regulatory gaps were provided to implement and operate the identified Blockchain-based systems.

As a result of all these phases, a communication was made to the international community, the main results of the study, including the capabilities and feasibility of DLT use cases in SatCom systems, as a result of the previous phases.

Current status

The project is already finished, including the following performed tasks:

Task 1:
- TN1 - Technical note on satcom use-cases to be enhanced by blockchain technology
Task 2:
- TN 2.1: Technical Note on Survey on State-of-the-art Blockchain system architectures and applications and the involvement of satellite technology and list of companies and initiatives implementing those services
- TN 2.2: Stakeholder Workshop presentation and Technical Note on the feedback provided by the stakeholders
- TN 2.3: Technical Note on Use-Case trade-off, selection and justification
Task 3:
- TN 3.1: Technical Note on System Architecture definition
- TN 3.2: Technical Note on Future Proofing
Task 4:
- TN 4: Technical note on Mission Roadmap & Cost model
Task 5:
- TN 5: Technical note on Development Gaps
Final Review:
- Technical Data Package
- Executive Summary Report
- Final Report
- Final Presentation
- Project Web Page
- CCD (Contract Closure Documentation)