Hackaday

Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) is a protocol designed for unreliable networks with extreme latency, like deep space communications where round-trip times can range from seconds (Moon) to days (Voyager 1). Unlike TCP which assumes lost packets mean congestion, DTN uses a store-and-forward mesh architecture with "bundles" that nodes can hold for hours or days. NASA's ION implementation and community projects like DTN7 are available for use. While developed for space missions, DTN is valuable for any scenario with intermittent connectivity: disaster recovery, low-power tracking, or weak signal environments. The approach echoes older systems like UUCP and Fidonet, adapting proven store-and-forward techniques for modern unreliable networks.

Tolerating Delay With DTN