Power line based LAN on board the NASA Space Shuttle

Without exception, vehicles have a power distribution system based on metallic conductors of some type. It would be advantageous to make this power distribution network perform double-duty, as an infrastructure supporting both power delivery and broadband digital connectivity. We study the possibility of re-using existing power cables on board the NASA Orbiter (also knows as the Space Shuttle) for providing a backup LAN based on power line (PL) communications. We analyze (from a communications point of view) wiring and grounding practices on board the Space Shuttle with the goal of studying the theoretical performance of a PL modem operating on the existing PL infrastructure of the Space Shuttle. In particular, the channel transfer function of a typical PL link on board the Space Shuttle is calculated and its theoretical capacity evaluated.