IEEE Access Special Section: Internet of Space: Networking Architectures and Protocols to Support Space-Based Internet Services

This Special Section focused on gathering the most recent scientific research and insights on the evolution of communication architectures and protocols able to boost the creation of a truly global internet by means of the integration of the current internet with a new
Internet of Space
; how to support the operation of Tier-1, Tier-2, or even Tier-3 airborne/spaceborne networks; how to address interoperability, within and across different protocol layers in the network architecture, leveraging cross-layer design; and finally how to design a more unified next-generation internet architecture able to transparently include spaceborne and airborne platforms in a way that allows for user-centric services, and a smooth operation of transient networks.