Challenges ahead for IP in space

Building an Internet in space will take 20 years and will require surmounting of significant hurdles, according to Michael Regan, head of the National Reconnaissance Office's communications integration office.

NRO is leading efforts to build a common framework for national security in space and is working with NASA, the intelligence agencies and the Defense Department to develop standards.

Information assurance is the toughest part, Regan said. "NASA is all public, but the intelligence community wants nobody to know they exist."