The Future of Data Storage: Lonestar and Phison Launch Lunar Data Center on SpaceX Rocket
In a groundbreaking move, data storage and resilience company Lonestar and semiconductor and storage company Phison have launched a data center infrastructure on a SpaceX rocket, headed to the moon. This marks the beginning of a lunar data center, the first ever, that the companies plan to expand in the future until it holds a petabyte of storage.
The idea to build a data center in space originated back in 2018, with the goal of providing a secure and resilient storage solution for customers. Chris Stott, the founder, chair, and CEO of Lonestar, believes that data is humanity’s most precious asset, and that it’s more valuable than oil. By storing data in space, customers can ensure that it’s immune from climate disasters, hacking, and other threats.
The partnership between Lonestar and Phison is a natural fit, given Phison’s experience in providing storage solutions for space missions through NASA’s Perseverance Rover on Mars. The company’s Imagine Plus design service also develops custom storage solutions for unique projects. The two companies have been working together since 2021, developing SSD storage units designed for space.
The technology used in this project is remarkable, with no moving parts and a focus on reliability. The companies have spent years testing the product, ensuring that it’s launch-ready. The first launch was successful, and the company is now planning to collaborate with satellite manufacturer Sidus Space to build six data storage spacecraft that will launch between 2027 and 2030.
This is not the only company looking to bring data centers into space. Lumen Orbit, a startup that emerged from Y Combinator’s Summer 2024 batch, is also working on a space-based storage solution. As AI-driven demand for hardware accelerates, it’s likely that we’ll see more companies pursuing space-based storage solutions, which offer nearly infinite storage capacity and solar energy.
Actionable Insights
- The future of data storage is likely to be in space, with companies like Lonestar and Phison leading the way.
- The technology used in this project is remarkable, with no moving parts and a focus on reliability.
- As AI-driven demand for hardware accelerates, it’s likely that we’ll see more companies pursuing space-based storage solutions.
- The advantages of space-based storage solutions include nearly infinite storage capacity and solar energy.
Summary
Lonestar and Phison have launched a data center infrastructure on a SpaceX rocket, headed to the moon. This marks the beginning of a lunar data center, the first ever, that the companies plan to expand in the future until it holds a petabyte of storage. The technology used in this project is remarkable, with no moving parts and a focus on reliability. As AI-driven demand for hardware accelerates, it’s likely that we’ll see more companies pursuing space-based storage solutions.