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

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