High-bandwidth, redundant, and future-proof communication infrastructure for hollowed-asteroid bases — linking the base to Earth, other colonies, the mining fleet, and future interstellar traffic.
Maintain constant, secure, low-latency connectivity for command, telemetry, entertainment, science data, and emergency response — even across interplanetary distances and during solar storms.
Communication systems are installed after power and internal transport are online. They become the nervous system of the base, enabling real-time oversight from Earth while giving local crews full autonomy when needed.
Requirement: Every hollowed asteroid base and IPLS habitat shall maintain continuous high-bandwidth external communication using laser/optical arrays with redundant radio backup and quantum entanglement readiness.
Rationale: Ensures real-time command, telemetry, cultural exchange, and emergency response across interplanetary and future interstellar distances.
Open Questions: None at v0.7
Requirement: A robust internal mesh network using UMP hardpoints shall provide low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity between all chambers, vehicles, and systems inside the hollowed base.
Rationale: Creates reliable internal communications for operations, safety, and daily life.
Requirement: All external and internal communication systems shall include quantum entanglement-ready interfaces for future instantaneous, secure links once the technology is validated and integrated via TSP-v1.
Rationale: Prepares the infrastructure for next-generation communication without requiring hardware replacement.
Requirement: Communication arrays shall support low-latency relay to Earth, Luna, Mars, other colonies, and the mining fleet with automated beam-forming and antenna pointing.
Rationale: Maintains effective real-time coordination across the solar system.
Requirement: All communication channels shall use quantum-secure encryption and active anti-jamming measures with operator-controlled key management.
Rationale: Protects strategic data and command authority in contested or hostile environments.
Requirement: Dedicated long-duration emergency beacons and distress signalling systems with independent backup power shall be integrated into all critical zones and vessels.
Rationale: Guarantees rapid location and response capability in any failure scenario.
Requirement: All critical communication functions (channel selection, encryption, emergency broadcast) shall expose physical manual overrides and digital operator veto.
Rationale: Preserves absolute human/post-biological command authority over all external and internal communications.
Requirement: Communication systems shall be designed for ≥200-year service life with graceful degradation, field-repairable via ISRU spares, and pre-engineered TSP-v1 upgrade pathways.
Rationale: Ensures reliable external connectivity as frontier communication technologies evolve.