Objectives
The ASCEND feasibility study’s main purpose is to evaluate the influence of data centres on the European global energy use and to identify way forward to decrease associated greenhouse gases footprint by locating future data centres in orbit. The study aims to link environmental objectives with the functional and operational needs of data centres, and to design an optimal European space cloud system architecture through a multi-disciplinary system engineering approach.
Another benefit related to the orbital data centres is to provide a sovereign cloud solution for European customers, with the right design and software. Orbital data centres ensure data sovereignty, address data privacy and protection issues, and follow European data protection rules like GDPR. They also improve national security by lowering the risk of physical and cyber attacks. Setting up data centres in orbit gives European countries a strategic edge in technology and competition, making Europe a leader in space data infrastructure.
The ASCEND feasibility study will cover the following topics:
1. Digital sector and data centres context, and energy consumption and environmental footprint assessment
The first objective of this study is to assess the impact of the digital industry, and specifically data centres, on the global European energy consumption, the corresponding greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, and globally on the environment (with Life Cycle Assessment). This in order to establish GHG emission maximum budget to be allocated for a placement of future data centres capacity in orbit, within digital sector carbon footprint reduction strategy, towards the EU Green Deal objectives.
2. Conceive an “environmentally driven” space data system architecture
The second main objective is to associate the environmental targets with typical functional and operational digital requirements of data centres, for a top down multi-disciplinary systems engineering design that allows for the optimization of a complete European space cloud system architecture blueprint.
A multi-disciplinary and multi-criteria systems engineering method is performed, using identified use cases, in order to fit maximum needs with minimum materials to be launched into orbit. The footprint criteria is maintained as a priority in order to meet the goal to cancel the effect of the exponential footprint of data centres between 2030 and 2050 in order to contribute to the EU Green Deal net zero emission target by 2050.
2. Conceive an “environmentally driven” space data system architecture
The second main objective is to associate the environmental targets with typical functional and operational digital requirements of data centres, for a top down multi-disciplinary systems engineering design that allows for the optimization of a complete European space cloud system architecture blueprint.
A multi-disciplinary and multi-criteria systems engineering method is performed, using identified use cases, in order to fit maximum needs with minimum materials to be launched into orbit. The footprint criteria is maintained as a priority in order to meet the goal to cancel the effect of the exponential footprint of data centres between 2030 and 2050 in order to contribute to the EU Green Deal net zero emission target by 2050.
3. Define in-orbit services concepts for the operational deployment and maintenance of the space data centres infrastructure to help the implementation development program and associated technology roadmap for an operational system in 2035
Based on the chosen optimized system architecture and the associated set of requirement specifications, the objective is to demonstrate and justify the feasibility through a preliminary design of its constituents, including a green reusable heavy lift launch system, to and from space, system deployment and maintenance operation concepts, as well as the robotics for in-space modular assembly, maintenance and repair.
Considering the large scale of the project, the objective is to establish an incremental but ambitious development plan, considering all other applications of the technologies targeted (European electronics supply chains, access to space, orbital servicer, on-orbit servicing, in-orbit assembly and manufacturing).
4. Establish the space data centres’ cost and business case, contributing to a sustainable space infrastructure and in-space ecosystem
The development of such an ambitious and innovative program for Europe will be expensive and requires a detailed cost and business case analysis, to identify the various non-recurring and production costs. A suitable public and private (PPP) funding scheme is analysed and proposed, with a phased approach, starting from a first minimum viable product (MVP) to a fully operational system, backed by a robust carbon neutrality justification.
4. Establish the space data centres’ cost and business case, contributing to a sustainable space infrastructure and in-space ecosystem
The development of such an ambitious and innovative program for Europe will be expensive and requires a detailed cost and business case analysis, to identify the various non-recurring and production costs. A suitable public and private (PPP) funding scheme is analysed and proposed, with a phased approach, starting from a first minimum viable product (MVP) to a fully operational system, backed by a robust carbon neutrality justification.
5. Define the implementation development program and associated technology roadmap for an operational system in 2030
Considering the large scale of the project, the objective is to establish an incremental but ambitious development plan, considering all other applications of the technologies targeted (European electronics supply chains, access to space, orbital servicer, on-orbit servicing, in-orbit assembly and manufacturing).
6. Developing the benefits of an independent cloud solution for the European sovereignty
Establishing a data centre in space and a cloud solution can offer several benefits in terms of European sovereignty, as mentioned hereafter:
- Enhanced Security: Space-based data centres can provide an additional layer of security by reducing the risk of physical attacks, natural disasters, and cyber threats. This can help protect sensitive data and ensure the sovereignty of European information. This item needs to be taken into account and be detailed.
- Independence from Foreign Infrastructure: By having a data centre in space, European countries can reduce their reliance on foreign infrastructure and services. This can enhance European sovereignty by ensuring control over critical data and reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.
- Global Reach: Space-based data centres can provide global coverage, enabling European countries to access and process data from anywhere on Earth. This can facilitate international collaborations, improve data sharing, and support European interests on a global scale.
- Technological Leadership: Investing in space-based data centres can position Europe as a leader in space technology and innovation. This can enhance European sovereignty by fostering technological independence and attracting investment and talent to the region.
- Resilience and Redundancy: Space-based data centres can offer redundancy and resilience in case of terrestrial infrastructure failures or disruptions. This ensures continuity of critical services and data availability, further strengthening European sovereignty.
6. Developing the benefits of an independent cloud solution for the European sovereignty
Establishing a data centre in space and a cloud solution can offer several benefits in terms of European sovereignty, as mentioned hereafter:
- Enhanced Security: Space-based data centres can provide an additional layer of security by reducing the risk of physical attacks, natural disasters, and cyber threats. This can help protect sensitive data and ensure the sovereignty of European information. This item needs to be taken into account and be detailed.
- Independence from Foreign Infrastructure: By having a data centre in space, European countries can reduce their reliance on foreign infrastructure and services. This can enhance European sovereignty by ensuring control over critical data and reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access.
- Global Reach: Space-based data centres can provide global coverage, enabling European countries to access and process data from anywhere on Earth. This can facilitate international collaborations, improve data sharing, and support European interests on a global scale.
- Technological Leadership: Investing in space-based data centres can position Europe as a leader in space technology and innovation. This can enhance European sovereignty by fostering technological independence and attracting investment and talent to the region.
- Resilience and Redundancy: Space-based data centres can offer redundancy and resilience in case of terrestrial infrastructure failures or disruptions. This ensures continuity of critical services and data availability, further strengthening European sovereignty.