Wi-Fi, Now Available On the ISS

Grant Henninger writes "Rejoice! The next time you have an extra $20 million and decide to visit the International Space Station you won't need to leave the window to tell all your friends how cool it is. The ISS now has a new Wi-Fi network, so all you'll need to do is fire up Twitterrific and announce how much better you are than your Earth-based friends."

No mention of internet connectivity

[Workaphobia]

There is nothing inherent in the phrase Wi-Fi that mandates that a network is Internet-connected. Indeed, nothing in the "article" suggests any access to the Internet from the station. This appears to just be an extension of their existing LAN.

wifi network ~= internet connection

[catmistake]

contrary to what the summary suggests, wifi doesn't mean internet connection.

Re:Do they have an Internet connection?

[PachmanP]

Yeah but the 5 or 6 messages us earthbound folk would send would be drowned out in the noise of the millions of emails from a guy named Dick Strong telling them about ch3ap V1aGr4 and randome Nigerians.

Re:NASA will probably cooperate

[dfjunior]

Wouldn't the skin of the ISS function as a Faraday Cage and severely limit transmission of the Wi-Fi signal?

Re:Practical use?

[Anonymous Coward]

Weight? I realize that these may not be COTS hardware, but comparing USB wifi to ethernet cable, the former is far less. Wifi connections between modules in the future? Also might save on wall space to be able to have a mobile laptop rather than fixed terminal everywhere you might need one.