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NASA, ESA trial AWS cloud for faster data

NASA and ESA trial AWS cloud for faster satellite data, focusing on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

AuthorMandy

Reading Time2 min

PublishedJanuary 24, 2025

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Headline

NASA and ESA trial AWS cloud for faster satellite data, focusing on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

Context

NASA , the European Space Agency ( ESA ), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have collaborated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to trial a new cloud-based method for faster satellite data transmission. The tests, conducted in October 2024, involved transmitting data streams directly from ground stations to AWS cloud servers, a major shift from traditional methods where data is reconstructed at ground stations before being transferred centrally. The trial is aimed at preparing for the high-speed data downlink of the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which is set to send 500 megabits per second (Mb/s) of data by 2026 — six times faster than the current downlink of the ESA’s Euclid mission. The tests were carried out at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), where teams successfully transmitted data to AWS servers.

Evidence

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Analysis

While the expected speed of 500Mb/s has not yet been reached, ESA and NASA are working to improve the system’s bandwidth to meet future demands. Also read: Jared Isaacman leads NASA amidst crypto rise Also read: Silent NASA lander provides new data on Martian dust The adoption of cloud-based solutions for satellite data transmission represents a significant step forward in space operations. Traditionally, satellite data collected by space telescopes and other missions has been processed at ground stations before being sent to central servers. This method can be slow and inefficient, especially as more data is being collected by modern space missions. By utilising AWS cloud servers, NASA and ESA are aiming to dramatically increase the speed at which satellite data can be transmitted and processed.