Guest Editorial: Space Information Networks: Technological Challenges, Design Issues, and Solutions

It has been expected that the space information networks (SIN),
as an extension of the terrestrial network, would provide high-speed,
high-capacity, global continuous communication, and data transmission
services anywhere for anyone at any time. With rapid advances
in relevant technologies (e.g., satellite miniaturization technology,
reusable rocket launch technology, and semiconductor technology),
low-orbit satellites, drones, and airships can be integrated into
the SIN to supply more comprehensive network connectivity. The
standard development organizations including 3GPP, ITU, and ETSI
already starts corresponding standardization activities to support nonterrestrial
networks in SIN. It can be foreseen that SIN will be
expanded to provide not only telephone services but also various
kinds of Internet services, and it is thus able to serve many more
users with different demands.