Space-based and Moon-based Data Centers: A New Era in Data Storage and Processing

Introduction

Space-based and moon-based data centers are being created to support Earth and outer space data processing requirements and to provide new data disaster recovery capabilities. Storing data on the Moon or even in near-Earth orbit has interest to governments, NGOs, and commercial enterprises. Data storage in outer space provides an additional layer of data security against natural disasters, social upheavals, and other threats to data integrity and longevity.

The Blue Ghost Mission: A Successful Landing on the Moon

We wrote about the Lonestar Data Holdings partnership with Flexential to test equipment for a moon-based data center as well as synthetic DNA storage in the Blue Ghost Mission in January. The Blue Ghost Mission from Firefly Aerospace landed successfully on the Moon on March 2 and has been performing various experiments on the Moon’s surface since then. The synthetic DNA in the Blue Ghost Mission carries tokens and historical data and is encapsulated within a monument symbolizing humanity’s achievements.

The Lonestar Freedom Mission: A New Era in Data Storage

The Intuitive Machines landing vehicle, containing the Lonestar Holdings Freedom data module made its lunar landing on March 6 and although radio communications work, it appears that the vehicle did not land flat on the surface and as a consequence, there was concern whether it would be able to perform some of the planned experiments, including drilling for water near the Moon’s Southern Pole, where it is believed that water ice from meteorite impacts may hide in craters that are sheltered from the sun. It is also not clear as of this writing, whether the Freedom data center module is fully functional.

Phison and Lonestar Data Holdings Partnership

Phison partnered with Lonestar Data Holdings to provide SSD storage based on the company’s Pascari enterprise-grade storage solution for the Lonestar Freedom Mission. The SSDs are used for backup and recovery for storing mission data. Phison said that this collaboration would ensure that the Freedom mission moves beyond technical innovation to unlock the future of interplanetary operations. It is hoped that with unique solar-power sourcing and natural cooling capabilities that the lunar data center design can maintain peak operational performance with minimal resource dependency.

The Future of Data Centers in Space

Lonestar’s ultimate goal for Freedom is to provide petabyte-scale long-term storage to support local data center needs as well as backup of important data on the Moon’s surface. Data center resources on the Moon will help with edge computing capability to support the upcoming Artemis manned missions to the Moon. Future manned missions further in space, such as Mars, could also benefit from outer space data centers that could support local lower latency processing than is possible for data sent to and from Earth.

Conclusion

Recent landings of data center technologies, including data storage and stored archives on the Moon, are creating a path for the development of lunar and other extraterrestrial enterprises. The creation of a series of data centers in outer space or on other planetary bodies will enable an extraterrestrial internet, which requires local data storage to cache data and messages locally so they can be transmitted to off-planet and Earth transceivers when such transmission becomes possible. Creating a series of data centers between remote space data centers could also enable interplanetary distributed computing to better understand outer space and the solar environment that surrounds us on Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the purpose of the Blue Ghost Mission?
  The Blue Ghost Mission is a lunar mission that aims to test equipment for a moon-based data center as well as synthetic DNA storage.
• What is the Lonestar Freedom Mission?
  The Lonestar Freedom Mission is a lunar mission that aims to provide petabyte-scale long-term storage to support local data center needs as well as backup of important data on the Moon’s surface.
• What is the purpose of the Phison and Lonestar Data Holdings partnership?
  The partnership aims to provide SSD storage based on Phison’s Pascari enterprise-grade storage solution for the Lonestar Freedom Mission, ensuring the mission moves beyond technical innovation to unlock the future of interplanetary operations.

Leaders Who Make a Difference: Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD

About the Event

Each spring, HBR hosts Leaders Who Make a Difference, a live virtual conference that spotlights executives and organizations making a positive impact in the world.

Lisa Su: A Leader in High-Performance Computing

This past year’s headliner was Lisa Su, chair and CEO of AMD, a company that has over the past decade become a leader in high-performance and adaptive computing powered by AI.

AMD’s Success Story

AMD is now one of the fastest-growing semiconductor businesses in the world, with customers ranging from Subaru and Tesla to Microsoft and Google.

The Future of Computing

As the leader of AMD, Lisa Su is driving the development of new technologies that are changing the way we live and work. From artificial intelligence (AI) to data analytics, AMD is at the forefront of the digital revolution.

Lisa Su’s Vision

Lisa Su’s vision for AMD is to harness the power of technology to make a positive impact on the world. She believes that technology should be used to improve people’s lives, not just drive profits.

Award-Winning Leadership

Lisa Su has received numerous awards and accolades for her leadership and innovation, including being named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine.

Conclusion

Lisa Su’s leadership at AMD is a shining example of what it means to make a difference in the world. Her company’s commitment to innovation and progress is inspiring, and her vision for a better future is one that we can all get behind.

FAQs

• What is Leaders Who Make a Difference? A live virtual conference hosted by HBR that spotlights executives and organizations making a positive impact in the world.
• What is AMD’s mission? To harness the power of technology to make a positive impact on the world.
• What is Lisa Su’s vision for AMD? To drive the development of new technologies that improve people’s lives, not just drive profits.

Planned Obsolescence: A Strategy to Boost Sales

The Origins of Planned Obsolescence

In the past, companies have used “planned obsolescence,” deliberately designing products with limited lifespans so that customers would have to buy more. This strategy, often used in the 1950s and 1960s, was meant to increase sales and boost profits.

The Evolution of Planned Obsolescence

Over time, companies have refined their approach to planned obsolescence. Instead of simply designing products to break, companies have focused on creating products that are designed to slow down, become less functional, or become outdated. This can take many forms, from light bulbs engineered to burn out after a specific number of hours to smartphones that slow down with new software updates.

Examples of Planned Obsolescence

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Light Bulbs

Light bulbs have been designed with a limited lifespan, often burning out after a certain number of hours. This forces consumers to replace them, increasing sales and profits for the manufacturers.
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Smartphones

Smartphones are another example of planned obsolescence. Software updates can slow down the device, making it less functional and more likely to be replaced. This creates a continuous cycle of sales and revenue for the manufacturers.

The Impact of Planned Obsolescence

Planned obsolescence has several negative consequences:

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Waste and Environmental Impact

The constant need to replace products contributes to waste and environmental degradation.
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Increased Consumer Spend

Consumers are forced to spend more money on new products, taking a significant toll on their budgets.
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Lack of Innovation

The focus on planned obsolescence can stifle innovation, as companies prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability and development.

Conclusion

Planned obsolescence is a widespread practice that has been used by companies to increase sales and profits. However, it has significant negative consequences for consumers, the environment, and innovation. As consumers become more aware of this practice, it is essential to promote sustainable and responsible business practices that prioritize long-term value over short-term gains.

FAQs

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What is planned obsolescence?

Planned obsolescence is a business strategy where companies design products with limited lifespans to encourage frequent replacements.
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How does planned obsolescence affect consumers?

Planned obsolescence can lead to increased consumer spending, reduced product lifespan, and a negative impact on the environment.
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Can planned obsolescence be avoided?

Yes, consumers can make informed purchasing decisions, prioritize sustainable products, and support companies that prioritize long-term value over short-term profits.