Boeing [NYSE: BA] has used an operational, commercial communications satellite to demonstrate the maturity of its Internet-like, space-based packet-switching technology. This occurred during a program review of the company's proposed Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The Boeing-built SPACEWAY™-3 satellite was used for the review, which took place earlier this month at three locations across the United States. Participants interacted through videoconference and collaboration software. SPACEWAY-3, which is owned and operated by Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), is the only satellite of its type in orbit and its unique packet-switching technology is directly applicable to Boeing's proposed TSAT system. Once launched, the TSAT system will provide survivable, protected, high-capacity Internet-like connections for the DOD. TSAT will be the communications backbone and a large part of the DOD's secure, global communications network.

Conventional satellites use circuit-switching technology that sets up a limited number of exclusive-use, defined-capacity connections between points to communicate. SPACEWAY 3 uses packet-switching technology that connects users in an adaptable network that dynamically forwards information to each person as needed. This increase system flexibility by allowing communication with any other user. Packet switching provides for much more efficient use of available capacity. The most common use of packet switching is the Internet. Boeing's TEAM TSAT consists of Cisco, Hughes, IBM, Harris Corp., Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., LGS Innovations, Raytheon, General Dynamics C4 Systems, L-3 Communications, BBN Technologies, EMS Technologies, Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) and Innovative Communications Engineering (ICE).