Case Study
CS 120HE
OCTOPUS Onboard
International Space Station
OCTOPUS IP67 industrial
Ethernet switches are part of the
Joint Station Local Area Network
(LAN) onboard the International
Space Station
Tested and proven reliability
in demanding environment
The International Space Station (ISS) is
the largest artificial object in orbit. It is a
multinational project governed by space
agencies in the United States (NASA), Canada
(CSA), Europe (ESA), Russia (Roskosmos) and
Japan (JAXA).
The first module of the ISS was launched
in 1998. The current ISS is expected to be
operative until at least 2020. The modular
structure is composed of ten pressurized
modules and more than 100 additional
components. The ISS covers an area of 108
meters times 88 meters and its mass adds up
to nearly 500 tons. At a speed of 28,000 km/h
it takes the ISS 1 ½ hours to complete an orbit
at a height of 400 km above sea level.
The purpose of the ISS is scientific research,
exploration of long-duration space missions,
as well as educational and cultural outreach
for students and interested groups, like radio
amateurs. The main focus of ISS is conducting
scientific experiments and the emphasis of
the program is supporting payloads to help
the scientists gather data. Payloads are also
the primary users of commercial off-the-shelf
components to reduce cost and decrease
development time.
Space is a hostile environment for people and material
Project Parameters
The OCTOPUS switches onboard the ISS are
part of the communications systems in the
Russian orbit segment and also in the U.S.
orbit segment (USOS).
Ethernet lines into the Cupola to support crew
activities, in addition to the Node 3 volume.
The various data are separated by three virtual
local area networks (VLANs).
In the U.S. segment, the OCTOPUS is installed
in the Node 3 “Tranquility” module. The Node 3
module is across from the U.S. Airlock.
Currently, the switch transports data over
the joint station LAN (JSL) for crew items,
like procedure viewing, IP phone calls and
NetMeeting (private medical and family
conferences). Soon, it will be used to transport
HD video captured from the Cupola to the
ground.
It also contains the Cupola, which is the
large segmented window, well known from
many photos. The OCTOPUS provides several
Cupola
ISS Configuration
As of May 2011 (ULF6 - STS-134)
European Robotic Arm
(ERA)
Zarya
FGB
Poisk
(MRM-2)
Zvezda
Service Module
SPDM Dextre
Mobile Base System
Mobile Transporter
Canadarm2
PMA-1
SM MMOD Shields
Nauka
Multipurpose
Laboratory Module
S1 Truss
Segment
S0 Truss
Segment
Port
Photovoltaic
Arrays
ELC-3
Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer
(AMS-02)
MLM Outfitting
P1 Truss Segment
P6 Truss Segment
Rassvet
(MRM-1)
ELC-2
OBSS
S6 Truss
Segment
P5 Truss
Segment
PMA-3
ELC-1
Tranquillity
Node 3
ELC-4
S5 Truss
Segment
P3/4 Truss Segments
Cupola
ESP-3
Starboard
Photovoltaic Arrays
S3/4 Truss Segments
Z1 Truss
Segment
JEM RMS & Exposed Facility
Quest
Joint Airlock
ESP-2
Unity
Node 1
Elements Currently on Orbit
Elements Pending Russian Proton Launch
Destiny
US Lab
Columbus
European Lab
Leonardo
Permanent Multipurpose Module
JEM ELM-PS
ESP-1
PMA-2
Harmony
Node 2
JEM PM
Zenith
Aft
Port
Starboard
Forward
Nadir
Robust networks in space
System Requirements
Solution
The topmost concern is reliability under space
conditions. Onboard the ISS, the OCTOPUS
is in a harsh radiation environment. The
radiation inside a pressurized ISS module is
approximately 100 times higher than on earth.
• O
CTOPUS 16M and OCTOPUS 8M Ethernet
switches with vibration proof M12
connectors are currently onboard the ISS
90 percent of this radiation is caused by fast
protons. Thus, extensive tests have been
performed during which several parts of the
OCTOPUS printed circuit board were exposed
to high-energy proton beams. The components
most susceptible to radiation are the highlycomplex integrated circuits, i.e., the switching
chip and a complex programmable logic device
(CPLD).
The test results, in addition to the experience
from the Russian part of the ISS, where an
OCTOPUS was already operative without
difficulties, led to the decision to install
the U.S. switch in 2011. Since then, it has
performed perfectly.
• V
LANs are used to separate the various
categories of data
• Network structure is star topology
• C
abling is done with special Teflon-insulated
cables
Key Features Include
Hirschmann Switches:
Reliable networks in
challenging environments
• P
roven switch version in demanding
applications for years
• M
echanical switch design considered
sufficiently robust
• L ightweight aluminum housing withstands
worst-case pressure differences
• Thermal design suitable for space conditions
• Acceptable radiation susceptibility
• P
ositive experience with OCTOPUS on ISS
already existing
Hirschmann Switches:
Reliable networks in
challenging environments
The Hirschmann™ Product Range
As a specialist for automation and networking
technology, Hirschmann™ develops innovative
solutions, which are tailored to its customers’
requirements in terms of performance,
efficiency and investment reliability.
only receive support while their tailor-made
communications solution is being designed,
but also throughout the subsequent planning,
design, commissioning and maintenance of
their networks.
Hirschmann™ not only offers a complete range
of products for company-wide data networks,
but also a broad support package direct from
the product manufacturer. Customers not
Seminars and workshops, in which trends and
developments are evaluated and technical
subjects put into practice, complete the range
of services.
Product Details
OCTOPUS 8M and OCTOPUS 16M
Managed IP67 switch in accordance with IEEE 802.3, store-and-forward-switching,
software layer 2 professional, Ethernet (10 Mbit/s) and Fast-Ethernet (100 Mbit/s)
• Completely enclosed design IP67
• Fanless cooling concept
• Rugged lightweight aluminum housing
• Vibration proof M12 connectors
• Extended operating temperature range
• Professional management software
• Rich set of redundancy features
• Approvals for various industries
Phone +49 (0)7127/14-1809
©Copyright 2014, Belden Inc.
www.hirschmann.com
OCTOPUS Onboard International Space Station | CS120HE_INIT_HIR_0514_E_EMEA