Highlights –

  • An array of AWS computer and machine learning software has been successfully tested on an orbiting spacecraft.
  • The test was conducted with Inbap and D-Orbit sPA, an AWS Partner Network company specializing in space logistics and transportation.

Amazon Web Services Inc. has ventured into space, an uncharted territory for cloud providers. According to information provided by AWS at its re: Invent conference today, an array of AWS computer and machine learning software has been successfully tested on an orbiting spacecraft.

Over the past ten months, a low Earth orbit satellite was used in a groundbreaking space experiment to demonstrate a quick, more effective way for AWS customers to use the cloud for gathering and studying spatial data directly on their orbiting satellites.

According to the trial, clients can leverage AWS edge capabilities to evaluate enormous amounts of unprocessed satellite data. Notably, processing the data in space means that when AWS processes the raw data, customers simply need to download the most beneficial photos for storage and additional analysis.

According to Max Peterson, vice president for the global public sector at AWS, “Using AWS software to perform real-time data analysis onboard an orbiting satellite and delivering that analysis directly to decision makers via the cloud is a definite shift in existing approaches to spatial data management. It also helps push the boundaries of what we believe is possible for satellite operations.”

According to Peterson, having secure cloud infrastructure in space enables satellite operators to interact more effectively. Using the AWS tools they are accustomed to, satellite operators may communicate with their spacecraft and issue new directives.

The experiment represents a step forward for AWS, which is dedicated to overcoming the technical difficulties of operating in space, including high latency and constrained bandwidth networks.

With the assistance of D-Orbit sPA and Inbap, the test was conducted. D-Orbit is an AWS Partner Network company specializing in space logistics and transportation. D-Orbit is reported to have quickly evaluated massive amounts of spatial data on its orbiting ION satellite using AWS compute and ML capabilities.

Sergio Mucciarelli, vice president of commercial sales at D-Orbit, stated, “Our customers want to securely process increasingly large amounts of satellite data with very low latency. We believe in the drive toward edge computing and that it can only be done with space-based infrastructure that is fit for the purpose, giving customers a high degree of confidence that they can run their workloads and operations reliably in the harsh space operating environment.”

Descartes Labs Inc., a provider of geospatial intelligence services, was revealed as the newest big enterprise to join AWS early today at re:Invent. Descartes will transfer its primary IT infrastructure, including its analytics and geoprocessing systems, to Amazon’s servers as part of the agreement.