Maximizing Profitability in Space: Why Radiation Hardened Solutions are Essential for Long-Term Success

Space companies are looking to take advantage of the fact that spacecraft launch costs are at an all-time low to offer new space-based services via a myriad of satellites. While the costs of launching spacecraft have decreased, satellite service providers are still spending plenty to initiate services, fill orbits, and reach profitability. Operators need to minimize risks and naturally look for components that are the most reliable and prove zero failures. So, what types of components should be chosen to operate in cosmic destinations? While some satellite designers consider using low-cost COTS (commercial-off-the shelf) components that work on Earth, the truth is that space is a completely different ball game! That’s why you should always rely on electronics that are especially designed to withstand the harsh cosmic environment to ensure planned business models reach profitability.

The satellite industry doesn’t come by cheap. Several millions of dollars are spent on designing, constructing, launching, and raising satellites before they can yield revenue. That’s why low risk has always been a priority – to ensure spacecraft life, while populating orbits quickly and inexpensively. Companies have few select chances to launch, and there isn’t exactly a technical support system ready and waiting to fix satellites if something goes wrong. While prices have declined, launches remain a sunk cost and generate zero revenue for service providers so minimizing the number of launches to get to a fully operational constellation has become of utmost importance.

Satellites orbiting at various distances have varying lifespans and levels of risk, making the selection of spacecraft design elements a complex choice for service providers. The GEO orbit’s long-operational satellites generate long-term revenues but pose a threat to connectivity when a single satellite fails. In the MEO orbit, multiple satellites are needed to provide global coverage, and while a single failure is not catastrophic, it adversely affects service quality, lifespan, and profitability. For Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity missions, hundreds of smaller satellites with shorter lifespans are required with each failure a burden on the rest of the constellation. Risk mitigation must be a key design element as fleets small or large need to constantly be refreshed and accelerating the allocation of additional CAPEX risks profitability.

The new market landscape for satellite services presents exciting opportunities for companies looking to connect, observe, and remotely sense everything from ships at sea to weather patterns on the other side of the world. But while new applications and services constantly expand the potential of the industry, one thing remains a constant: the challenge of generating revenue while maximizing an asset’s lifetime. That’s why satellite providers must constantly strive to design satellites with the most effective technology possible, all while balancing the need to offer affordable and reliable add-on services. But let’s not kid ourselves: space is hard. Radiation, rapid temperature changes, and zero gravity all present huge real hurdles to overcome. God doesn’t play dice with the universe, and neither should we.

The cheapest and most popular option is COTS, which is used commonly on Earth, but may not necessarily be suitable for the space environment. COTS equipment can malfunction due to extreme radiation events, which damage silicon components and does not allow these types of designs to meet the demanding requirements of most space applications. Radiation-hardened technology that’s specially designed to withstand the rigors of space can and will save you countless headaches – and dollars – down the line.

Many Space companies are devising purpose-built for space solutions. While it may seem cheaper to use COTS, it may spell disaster for service providers, since a single radiation event in space can render the most innovative technology utterly useless. And that isn’t cheap to fix. The new advancements of functionality in space constantly amaze us. But what’s key is the foundation on which those applications are run on. Radiation hardened components are inevitable for reliable space missions.
We want players across the space services industry to continue to look to the future and aim high. Radiation-hardened solutions can enable the most ambitious space applications and services to function reliably. These solutions can continue to empower the next generation of space pioneers, thinkers, and innovators to do what no one has done before: taking the space industry’s computing capabilities to our solar system…. and beyond.

Steve Good serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of Ramon.Space.

Recently, I conducted a survey of some of the most beloved space tech startups. I wanted to get a better idea of their business model, analyze their value proposition and study the solution they were bringing to the table. I peeked at their management structure and noticed something interesting. I asked one company who their CIO was, and they relayed to me: “We’re a space transportation startup, we don’t really need a Chief Information Officer.” That got me thinking, whether your space company really needs a CIO.

Traditionally, a CIO at any big corporation lays out a company’s strategy and executes its internal IT infrastructure. The CIO is responsible for answering the big questions, such as should a company rely on a local data center or instead outsource its data to cloud MSPs. He or she is responsible for whether the company adapts specific security measures, and how often should employees be tasked with resetting their account password. But as the world moves toward the digital information age, customer information starts to mingle with an organization’s internal IT infrastructure.

Furthermore, what should space companies do with all the customer data they now possess? Companies need to search for the best way possible to provide customer access to the satellite test data they previously collected. If a customer paid for the launch, does that necessarily grant them access to view their launch data too? Companies need to assess whether they should allow customers to later purchase their in-orbit data. On one hand, companies are collecting more data and strive to please, and yet they must decide what to do with this overabundance of data. Companies are eager to help fulfill customers’ insatiable needs to gain more insights and help them perform better in the future. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

It’s easy for space companies whose main business is to sell data to have a strong IT presence, because that is the core of their business. However, it is unclear why companies that provide space transportation really need to justify having a full-time CIO. Should the Los Angeles Metro have an IT strategy? The Metro’s focus is to keep the bus running smoothly and on time, so possessing computing and data seems like a secondary concern. However, in reality the Metro has an entire IT department to run information distribution, since today’s passengers demand it. Maybe five years ago, people would simply wait at the bus stop hoping for their line to arrive, but today’s passengers now have an app that lets them know when their bus is arriving, and if there are any major traffic jams on their chosen route. Today’s passengers know that information is way more valuable than that $2 bus fare – knowledge is power.

So, what does this mean for space companies? A space company that doesn’t possess a solid IT infrastructure that can provide its customers with added-value services will quickly go extinct. Today’s customers want real-time data and information along with the services they’re paying for. If customers on Earth expect this same type of service, then you can bet that space businesses will demand the same. Here are some key points to consider when building your space company’s IT infrastructure:

Collect more data – Adding extra sensors and providing Space-grade data storage options are possible, but bandwidth to Earth is becoming more congested. Companies need to decide which data should be processed and stored in space, and which needs to come back down to Earth for deeper analysis.

Possess AI talents – The more data you have, the more analytical capabilities a company requires. Meanwhile, the AI talent pool is becoming increasing competitive. Companies need to choose how much analytical capabilities should be outsourced or whether they should be supplied in-house.

Offer digital upgrade packages – Customers are looking for add-on packages and want to access that extra data, which could boost their future product offerings. Companies should consider offering digital upgrade packages.

Become future-proof – The future is changing rapidly, and as new technology abounds, companies need to be prepared to integrate them into future offerings. Companies need to question whether quantum computing could change their business offerings or whether 3D-printing spacecrafts in space will render their technology obsolete. Companies need to have a plan of action to incorporate any of these imminent-future technologies.

Data management in space is paramount and requires innovative approaches to gear us toward a better and brighter future. Processing and storing data in space with next-generation-level computing can enable a plethora of space applications and services to be future-proof. Perhaps that all starts with selling customers an all-you-can-eat access pass to their data. One thing is certain: the future of data is coming, we’re ready, and we welcome you aboard.

Lisa Kuo serves as VP of Strategic Sales at Ramon.Space.