Microsoft has provided updates to its Azure Space platform, which offers cloud hosting in remote locations. The program now offers a preview of Azure Orbital Cloud Access and confirms the general availability of Azure Orbital Ground Station.
With Azure Orbital Cloud Access, Microsoft ensures access to the Microsoft Cloud via satellite Internet service providers. The platform will essentially connect data endpoints relayed from the Azure cloud to Earth. In addition, Microsoft also confirmed the full availability of Azure Orbital Ground Station, a fully hosted ground station service.
Microsoft officially announced these new offerings during World Satellite Business Week.
"Firstly, we are committed to democratising the possibilities of space by unlocking connectivity and data with Microsoft Cloud. Secondly, we can also help our customers and partners digitally transform in the aerospace industry by using the flexible, scalable computing power in Azure."
Microsoft’s Azure Orbital Cloud Access service is now in private preview. This means that it is not yet available to consumer-facing companies and end users. Microsoft is making the platform available to US government agencies. The company wants to be able to access cloud services in areas where connectivity options are sparse or failover functionality is critical.
Azure Orbital Cloud Access is essentially powered by SpaceX satellite connectivity and works with Azure edge devices. The company can “prioritise and deliver traffic across fibre, cellular and satellite networks, while also integrating natively with Juniper’s SD-WAN technology”.
The Azure Orbital Earth Station essentially offers satellite operators an Earth Station-as-a-Service option. While the service is now generally available, satellite operators such as Pixxel, Muon Space and Loft Orbital should benefit from it in the near future.
