Satellite swarms use distributed computing to cut communication needs
A Distributed Computing Framework for Satellite Swarms
Distributed, Parallel, and Cluster ComputingNetworking and Internet Architecture
Summary
Managing large groups of satellites is hard because each one needs lots of instructions from Earth. The paper shows how satellites can share information among themselves using a system called CRDTs, which helps keep data consistent even with delays or errors. This reduces the number of messages sent from the ground a lot. The authors tested their idea on a simulated group of 66 satellites and found it cuts communications and handles conflicts well.
What this means in practice
- •For satellite operators: Reduce ground communication load by enabling satellites to update shared catalogs autonomously within large constellations.
- •For network engineers: Design efficient inter-satellite communication protocols that discard outdated data and limit message growth during concurrent updates.
Authors
Ezra Fielding, Clement Demazure, Guthemberg Silvestre, Felipe Alves Suana, Philippe Quéinnec
Abstract
The rise of large satellite constellations and Distributed Space Systems (DSS) demands generalized frameworks that enable fault-tolerant, autonomous distributed space applications. Conventional ground-centric command and control does not scale to systems of tens or hundreds of satellites, motivating the adoption of distributed computing. This paper introduces a conceptual distributed computing framework for satellite swarms, covering distributed state, command and control, and scientific mission. As a first validation step, a strongly eventually consistent distributed state service is designed and implemented using Conflict-free Replicated Data Types (CRDT), specifically a Last-Write-Wins Register-based key-value store. The service is evaluated in the context of Space Situational Awareness catalog dissemination across a simulated 66-satellite constellation emulated with GoNetEm. Results show that the CRDT-based approach reduces ground-to-satellite communication from 66 messages to a single uplink per update, with tree traversal matching the total message count of direct uplink. Under concurrent updates, sub-linear inter-satellite message growth is observed as nodes discard outdated versions, further reducing network overhead. These results demonstrate the viability of a CRDT-based distributed state as a scalable and fault-tolerant foundation for satellite swarm applications.