Cloud computing is going to need a name change pretty soon.
According to CNET, Microsoft and SpaceX announced Tuesday that they are joining forces to offer cloud computing via spacecraft, as well as numerous satellites through Microsoft’s Azure service.
The move is set to place Microsoft in direct competition with Amazon’s spacecraft company Blue Origin, who also announced an expansion into low-Earth orbiting internet this year. The software company is primarily known for its cloud computing services, operating systems, and general contributions to the early computer.
Alongside Microsoft’s partnership with SpaceX, it will also team up with Luxembourg company SES SA, which utilizes a higher-orbiting network of satellites, branded O3b.
In a blog post, Microsoft wrote, “Space-generated data is growing exponentially, requiring expanded ground control capabilities as well as data processing, storage and analytics — turning this data into knowledge and actionable solutions.” The company continued, “Another big global challenge is the growing need for bandwidth and cloud services in remote locations. Azure Space is designed to address these challenges while supporting the space community’s evolution.”
“Our new partnership with SpaceX Starlink will provide high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband for the new Azure Modular Datacenter (MDC),” explained Microsoft.
With our world in the age of network computing literally-beyond-the-clouds, companies like Microsoft, Amazon, SpaceX, Telesat, and others still, are preparing for a leap to the stars – and improved global internet connectivity may just be what they send back to us.
