Cloud and Space Integration Revolutionizing Innovation
Space Veteran Clint Crosier on How Cloud Infrastructure Solves Space Data Challenge
The surge in satellite launches cannot be overlooked, with both nations and private enterprises increasingly venturing into space. According to the Satellite Industry Association, the number of satellites increased more than 45% to surpass 7,000 in 2022.
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Clint Crosier, director, aerospace and satellite, Amazon Web Services, said this anticipated surge in satellite deployment leads to three core space data problems - volume of data, bandwidth and latency - that need to be addressed.
"We live in a data-rich environment today, with data coming from all directions, and we are not prepared to make sense of all that data. In five years, there will be five times the number of satellites in orbit than there are today, and each is a more powerful data collector than the ones before," Crosier said. "So, we will be downloading petabytes of data [from space]. It will be a challenge to collect, manage, analyze and distribute it."
Space companies can also leverage new cloud capabilities such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced data analytics to enhance space missions. Crosier, who served 33 years in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, said cloud and cloud-based solutions can solve all three space data problems. And, the confluence of space and cloud "can unlock extraordinary innovation."
In this video interview with ISMG, Crosier discussed:
- The challenges of data management in space communication;
- Use of cloud and edge computing for space data processing;
- The role of AI and machine learning in spacecraft autonomy.
Maj. Gen. (retd.) Crosier helped accelerate innovation in the global aerospace and satellite industry. He leads a global team that is dedicated to providing tailored, secure and cost-effective cloud solutions to commercial and government space clients to help them solve their toughest challenges. His career includes a broad charge of experience in space operations.
