Space-Based Cloud Storage: The New Face of Fast Data Transfer

By Cliff Beek, President, Cloud Constellation Corporation

The flow of business requires a constant, reliable transmission of data. Enterprises and governments cannot function effectively or achieve their goals without this information flow. There is a complex series of communications hubs that work to efficiently transfer data, but even when they are performing perfectly, latency of several seconds can result. That may seem insignificant at first, but consider how important it can be in high-risk scenarios to have information before your rival does.

Information lag time occurs due to the current approach to data transfer, which can require multiple hops and interchanges through terrestrial networks. At the same time, this approach exposes data to monitoring and manipulation along the way. Even the most efficient cloud network requires third-party data centers to replicate globally to provision worldwide offices effectively.

However, this isn’t the only method of data transmission available anymore. What if data could be securely transmitted from a single corporate network hub to any location worldwide in less than a second? The solution to this problem will be found through new space-based data center technology, creating a telecom backbone around the globe. Such a network will allow data to flow freely around the world without restriction and without fear of interception, enabling CIOs to virtually provision any remote office in less than one third of a second, regardless of proximity, without any latency, jurisdictional or cybersecurity issues.

Speedy Delivery

Enterprising minds have now envisioned new technologies that can provide an independent space-based network infrastructure for cloud service providers and their enterprise and government customers to experience secure storage and provisioning of sensitive data around the world. By placing data on satellites that are accessible from everywhere via ultra-secure dedicated terminals, many of today’s data transport challenges will be solved. Space-based storage offers a convenient solution to the issues of both security and jurisdiction while offering unprecedented transit speed.

There is already a ring of satellites around the earth that provides communications capabilities to organizations and government entities. Using the technologies that would enable space-based cloud storage, they can enjoy even faster and more secure communications and offer services that would not otherwise be possible.

This kind of network infrastructure, freed from terrestrial limitations, will expedite point-to-point delivery drone audio and video. At present, there is a latency of more than two seconds in the delivery of real-time drone video. Like driving a car with a two-second blinder, maneuverability and agility are constrained. Using a sky-based telecom system, latency will be reduced to less than one second.

Another benefit of this space-based model would be expedited 4K HDTV between two live audiences. Currently, studios employ parlor tricks to mimic live two-audience interaction, and video error correction must be applied at each server stop in both directions to meet the studio’s demanding 4K HDTV specifications. Using a space-based system, latency would be reduced to about one second and require just one video error correction at the end. Studios would be enabled for true live audience interaction – a major market differentiator.

In a similar vein, expedited live video delivery would become possible, and video streaming services would be able to bypass congested, expensive networks.

This model will benefit Cloud Service Providers, who will be able to sell services without adding more capital or operational expenditures for competitive expansion, including:

– Rapid video delivery and storage between any two points across of the globe
– A universal global antenna that can connect to any radio source anywhere without requiring it to return to Earth
– Extremely secure transmission and storage of highly sensitive information, free from ground infrastructure networks and vulnerable locations.

Taking Data Transfer to a Whole New Level

Options for data transfer and storage have expanded considerably in recent years. However, the cloud has quickly become crowded, leaving organizations with congested, high-latency solutions. Live video and other data types encounter multi-hop lags that limit their potential. By replacing the traditional system with space-based storage and transmission, government and enterprise alike can send, receive and store their mission-critical data with greater speed and security than ever before.

About the author:

Cliff Beek is the president of Cloud Constellation Corporation. He has extensive experience with the management and financing of equity-backed ventures within areas of satellite, mobile broadband, mobile app development and cloud infrastructure entities. Beek founded Star Asia Technologies and Laser Light Communications and served as the EVP at CoCo Communications. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Cliff can be reached online at @Cliff_Edges and at the company website, http://spacebelt.com/.