OrbitsEdge, a satellite colocation company, has teamed up with Hybrid rocket startup Vaya Space as they plan to operate small data centers in space.
Typically, edge computing seeks to bring data closer to the users. However, OrbitsEdge has a distinctive business strategy. In collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and other vendors, OrbitsEdge has created a high-performance computing (HPC) data center that will be launched into low-earth orbit (LEO) to process and analyze data generated in space. The data center will be housed inside a satellite in the form of a compact rack.
Consequently, Vaya Space comes in in order to bring data centers into the space. Former Space Shuttle Commander Sid Gutierrez founded Vaya in 2017 and has created an innovative hybrid rocket design that uses 3D printed fuel grains made from recycled thermoplastics.
The company intends to launch its first orbital trip in 2023 after testing its launch vehicle in January with a suborbital flight from California.
“Vaya has gained strong momentum over the past quarter, leapfrogging many of our earlier competitors that approached the space sector with legacy technology… This is the third major agreement we’ve announced in as many months, as satellite providers have increasingly turned to us to meet their launch needs. We look forward to supporting Orbits Edge as they deploy their new and innovative technology for above-the-cloud, in-space computing.” said Jack Blood, Chief Commercial Officer for Vaya Space.
With the use of edge computing, OrbitsEdge hopes to lessen the transmission delay and bandwidth constraints that come with bringing massive volumes of satellite data down to Earth for processing.
“OrbitsEdge is the absolute extreme of what is possible with HPE technology…The fact that you can trust our systems in the ultimate lights-out environment in space speaks volumes.” said Keenan Sugg, solutions architect for HPE.
OrbitsEdge may perform “overhead” edge computing for terrestrial clients in locations where a typical data center is not available, as well as communicate with other satellites to gather and process their data
The company sees opportunities in the unloading and storing of Earth Observation satellite data, turning it into instantly usable imagery, and transmitting the results straight to end-users in the field
