In the wake of more satellite launches and human missions into space, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has ventured into the aerospace and satellite industry.
Teresa Carlson, VP of worldwide public sector at AWS, yesterday unveiled the company’s new space business segment, saying it will be dedicated to accelerating innovation in the global aerospace and satellite industry.
Carlson made the announcement at the first online AWS Public Sector Summit 2020, where she said the aerospace and satellite solutions business segment aims to bring AWS services and solutions to the space enterprise.
The US-based cloud provider, she added, wants to work with customers and partners around the world to reimagine space system architectures and transform space enterprises.
Furthermore, it aims to launch new services that process space data on Earth and in orbit, and provide secure, flexible, scalable and cost-efficient cloud solutions to support government missions and companies advancing space around the world.
“We want to bring all those AWS tools to help our customers succeed in space,” she said. “AWS is committed to supporting our customers’ missions, even those outside the Earth’s atmosphere. The Earth and space base systems that we build now will inform nearly every decision we make in the years to come.”
Leading the AWS aerospace and satellite team is retired Air Force major general Clint Crosier, former director of Space Force Planning at the US Space Force, revealed Carlson.
“He will lead a team of experts that’s ready to bring cloud solutions to serve your space missions. The aerospace and satellite team is already supporting customers around the world, many of whom are leveraging AWS Ground Station to downlink, process, analyse and distribute data in a cost-effective way.
“Large and established organisations can use AWS Ground Station to rapidly scale their satellite communications operations. Space start-ups are growing faster by using AWS Ground Station to avoid major capital expenditures that will be required to build satellite ground infrastructure.”
Commenting on his new role, Crosier noted: “We find ourselves in the most exciting time in space since the Apollo missions. I have watched AWS transform the IT industry over the last 10 years and be instrumental in so many space milestones. I am honoured to join AWS to continue to transform the industry and propel the space enterprise forward.”
Carlson explained that AWS’s business segment in the aerospace and satellite industry is motivated by the exciting and daring new age in space.
“Companies have moved into the space business and are launching more commercial and government satellites and human missions into orbit than ever before. Our global infrastructure and extensive portfolio of cloud services help organisations in the private and public sector process and transform massive collections of data from space, quickly analyse the data and make it actionable, and redefine how we research, make decisions and see our world.
“Working with our customers and partners, we are already playing a critical role in the next frontier of space exploration, communication and innovation.”
Responding to COVID-19
Carlson lauded public sector organisations for their response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
She noted that over the last few months, AWS has seen its partners move faster to meet public sector needs.
“Public sector organisations moved so fast too during this time. In fact, we've seen more innovation and movement in the past two to three months than over the last two years.”
She therefore encouraged organisations to accelerate their migration to the cloud.
“The COVID-19 crisis showed just how fast organisations can move when missions need to drive decision-making. These migrations have been under exceptional circumstances but they offer a playbook for the new normal.”
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