China Tests Gigabit LAN on Next-Gen Spacecraft
Liao Shumin
DATE:  May 08 2020
/ SOURCE:  Yicai
China Tests Gigabit LAN on Next-Gen Spacecraft China Tests Gigabit LAN on Next-Gen Spacecraft

(Yicai Global) May 8 -- A Chinese manned spacecraft test vessel launched by the country’s workhorse Long March 5B carrier rocket has completed high-speed Local Area Network tests in orbit this week and the speed of this network can reach the level of gigabits, allowing China’s 'taikonauts' to access integrated equipment control on the nation’s space station.

Scientific researchers have built a high-speed local area network on the spacecraft. The network system has completed multi-source data sampling and high-definition image transmission function testing and achieved high-speed data transmission between the systems, Science and Technology Daily reported today. This is China’s first space trial of this technology, per the report.

An intelligent spacecraft information system can be implemented in the space station through this LAN system.

"At that time, astronauts can bring a tablet computer to achieve integrated control of all equipment on the spacecraft, which makes operation easy and greatly reduces the pressure on system design," said Lin Yue, the chief designer of the on-board information network at China Academy of Space Technology.

China's new-generation manned spacecraft test vessel will return to the ground today after a series of tests.

A gigabit is a multiple of the unit bit for digital information or computer storage. Gigabits commonly measure local network and input/output connection data transfer rates.

'Taikonaut' is a portmanteau of the Chinese noun 'taikong' (space) and the Greek suffix 'naut' (navigator).

Editor: Ben Armour

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Keywords:   Manned Spacecraft,LAN Network