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Houston-based company �ڰ������� to rely on AWS terrestrial services (cloud, database, security, high-performance compute) to support its operations, business, and engineering teams

�ڰ�������, a leader in commercial human spaceflight and architect of the world’s first commercial space station, today announced that it is going all-in on Amazon Web Services (AWS) in support of its terrestrial information technology (IT) infrastructure. By migrating its enterprise IT to AWS, �ڰ������� looks to provide its engineers, ground operations, and business development teams the terrestrial cloud infrastructure necessary to enable development of its next-generation commercial space station, �ڰ������� Station.

In parallel to going all-in on AWS for enterprise IT needs, �ڰ������� and AWS will continue to collaborate on validating cloud-based hardware and software capable of supporting in-space workloads. These include cutting-edge scientific research and discovery that �ڰ������� supports on-orbit to benefit new pharmaceuticals development, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and other areas of study in the microgravity environment. �ڰ������� and AWS are also collaborating on the development and demonstration of in-space cybersecurity solutions that set the foundation for operating a cybersecure �ڰ������� Station.

Christian Maender, EVP of Space Commercialization for �ڰ������� said, “We are very excited to expand our collaboration with AWS. Going all-in on enterprise IT needs provides us the necessary cloud services foundation on Earth to support our engineering, operations, and business teams as they build �ڰ������� Station and the markets it will serve. We remain excited to collaborate with AWS on advancing the state of the art of cloud infrastructure on-orbit as we build a multi-cloud and multi-user environment for our future space station customers.”

In order to support a thriving global space economy in low-Earth orbit, �ڰ������� Station will require cloud-based technology to quickly and reliably analyze data on orbit, closer to where the data is collected, even when operating with limited bandwidth and connectivity. As a first step on this path, �ڰ������� and AWS worked together to integrate and operate an AWS Snowcone device on the International Space Station as part of the �ڰ������� Mission 1 (Ax-1) in April 2022. Together, the teams used the device’s powerful edge processing capability to apply a sophisticated machine learning (ML)-based object recognition model and quickly analyze images of various scientific experiments on orbit. Today the AWS Snowcone – a small, rugged, and secure device offering edge computing, data storage, and data transfer on-the-go, in austere environment with little or no connectivity – remains on orbit and �ڰ������� continues to demonstrate unique use cases in edge processing, artificial intelligence (AI), ML, and in-space cybersecurity with its partners (�ڰ������� Collaborates to Advance In-Space Data Processing and Cybersecurity Solutions — �ڰ�������).

“�ڰ������� is using AWS’s global infrastructure and a broad and deep portfolio of cloud services to deliver revolutionary solutions to the space industry,” said Dave Levy, AWS vice president, worldwide public sector. “We are proud to support �ڰ�������’s vision to incorporate advanced cloud-based technology into future missions supporting on-orbit research, scientific discovery, and space exploration.”

Beyond going all-in on AWS for its enterprise IT needs, and demonstrating edge compute capabilities via the AWS Snowcone on the ISS, �ڰ������� and AWS intend to continue exploring:

• Using AWS for modeling and simulation in support of �ڰ������� Station development
• Equipping �ڰ�������’s mission control center (MCC-A) with cloud capabilities
• The development and use of digital engineering capabilities
• Applying AI/ML for autonomy specific use cases around �ڰ������� Station safety, monitoring, and mission operations
• Working together with other industry teams (e.g., Energy, Health, Telecommunications, Advanced Manufacturing) to help build and mature the in-space economy
• Deploying and operationalizing AWS cloud capabilities as part of �ڰ�������’s multi-cloud and multi-user Orbital Data Center