- NASA, ESA partner with AWS to trial cloud tech for satellite data transmission
- Ground station-to-cloud tech could revolutionise satellite data speed
What happened: NASA, ESA, and AWS test cloud tech for faster data
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.
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.
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Why it’s important
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.
This approach could reduce latency, allowing for near real-time data access for scientists and end users. Additionally, the trial serves as a testbed for future missions, including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which will generate vast amounts of data.
Faster and more efficient data transfers will be essential to handle this new volume of information, enabling quicker analyses and discoveries.
