Microsoft, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the International Space Station are collaborating to explore how Microsoft Azure can be used to support space research. Cloud services engineer Tom Keane explains that the International Space Station is by far the largest orbiting research facility in history.
This unique environment provides a perfect place for scientists on Earth to collaborate with their counterparts on board to learn about and better understand life in space through a wide range of scientific experiments, which can be time-consuming and expensive. In the past, Tom Keane informs, research was conducted from Earth-bound laboratories.
The software developer Tom Keane explains how this required weeks or even months to receive the results. Today, using advanced Internet technology, researchers are able to download the results of experiments conducted on board in a matter of minutes. This capability opens up a new world of real-time research collaboration between scientists on the space station and their colleagues on Earth.
This project is expected to provide opportunities for researchers and innovators across the globe by expanding the number of research opportunities and improving the quality of experiments, Tom Keane recalls. Back on Earth, Microsoft Azure will provide cloud services needed to connect scientists on the space station with their colleagues on Earth to analyze experiment results. The cloud platform is also expected to offer more opportunities for researchers.
Also, innovators in developing countries. Hewlett Packard Enterprise will provide the hardware to connect the space station to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform as Tom Keane finally recalls. The equipment used in this project was designed based on proven technologies. The mission-critical components, such as solar arrays, batteries and avionics, were specifically selected for their reliability and long-term stability.