Putting Power First - Powering Space 2.0

With Paul Leys

From a technology perspective, we have come a long way since the first lunar missions. Space is being commercialised in ways the pioneers could have only imagined. There are now almost 10,000 satellites in orbit around earth. Tourism may be the next frontier.  

The amount of processing power in an average low earth orbit (LEO) satellite is no doubt far more than that available during the moon landings. Of course, satellites don’t have the same legions of brilliant minds on hand to oversee every action, but that’s because they no longer need them. Processors are more capable of handling complex operations in real time, and we’re now seeing AI and Machine Learning being deployed in satellites, too.  

The number of LEO satellites in operation is increasing, in most part to meet the demand for global communications. But there is also talk of using the hostile environment of space to host other types of technology, such as data centres. That may not be entirely science fiction. With 5G coverage now available using LEOs, the communication activity and bandwidth in the area between the earth’s surface and the fringe of the Van Allen radiation belt is increasing rapidly.