Lasers beaming data between satellites in space will be a key enabler of broadband networks using low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, along with smart antennas that can track satellites in the sky. Here’s a closer look at these two technologies.
The Top 10 Data Center Stories of February 2021
Space and SPACs were hot topics last month on Data Center Frontier, including SpaceX Starlink’s broadband plans and Cyxtera going public through a merger. Here the 10 most popular stories on DCF in February 2021.
SpaceX Gets Connected: Satellite Broadband Meets the Data Center
SpaceX, Amazon, OneWeb and Telesat all plan to offer low-latency broadband via constellations of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Here’s an overview of the LEO broadband players, strategies and what these services will mean for the data center industry.
Data Centers in Space: The Space-Cloud Connection
The cloud is extending to the stars. On the DCF Show Podcast, Rich Miller talks with satellite expert Doug Mohney about how Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure are using satellites to extend their cloud platforms beyond the atmosphere.
Azure Space Connects Microsoft Edge Modules to Satellites (Including SpaceX)
Microsoft Azure Space will feature satellite broadband from SpaceX Starlink and SES, which will support the Azure Modular Data Center (MDC) to create satellite-connected edge data centers.
Azure Orbital Will Connect Microsoft’s Cloud Data Centers to Space Satellites
Microsoft will get into the satellite IT business with its new Azure Orbital ground station service. “We are extending Azure from under the sea to outer space,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Project Kuiper: Amazon Bets $10 Billion on the Future of Space Commerce
Amazon will invest $10 billion in Project Kuiper, a satellite network to provide broadband Internet service. Analysts say Amazon’s ambitions in space could expand the market for its online retail and cloud computing businesses.
Data Centers Above the Clouds: Colocation Goes to Space
Data Centers in space? Several space startups are integrating micro-data centers into their satellite designs, offering computing power to process satellite imaging data or monitor distributed sensors for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Here’s a closer look.
AWS Ground Station Connects the Amazon Cloud to Space Satellites
AWS Ground Station is positioning Amazon’s infrastructure as the key link in the fast-growing stream of image data between satellites and cloud data centers. Here’s a closer look at AWS and its leadership in cloud services for commercial space startups.
Terabytes From Space: Satellite Imaging is Filling Data Centers
A new wave of commercial satellite imaging companies are collecting upwards of 100 terabytes (TB) or more per day, filling data centers and enabling granular analysis of trends that drive our economy.
Data Center Frontier is edited by Rich Miller, the data center industry’s most experienced journalist. For more than 20 years, Rich has profiled the key role played by data centers in the Internet revolution.