Space is now Amazoned !

Platforms and Space

Did you realise that Deepinder Goyal or perhaps you as well moved one spot higher in world’s richest people list when Jeff Bezos left earth briefly for delivering an Amazon package in near space !

We all wish for such small pleasures of life while Jeff Bezos high school dream came true ! According to a report in NYTimes,

As valedictorian of his high school class in 1982, Mr. Bezos talked about the importance of creating a life in huge free-floating space colonies for millions of people. “The whole idea is to preserve the earth,” The Miami Herald quoted him as saying at the time, adding that his ultimate objective was to see the planet “turned into a huge national park.”

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DTW

During the Week, Jeff Bezos joined Richard Branson in making a sub-orbital flight and experience weightlessness at 28 million dollar per seat. And Space was declared “Open for Business”.

SpaceTech and platforms could be seen through three main dimensions- Data Management , Transportation and Manufacturing.

Data Management in SpaceTech could be in form of communication technology or even earth observation mechanisms. This would involve satellite management, data collection and use of AI/ML for making sense of earth observation data for weather forecasting, navigation technology and Agritech use cases. Companies like Starlink run by Elon Musk plan has almost 100,000 users, with half a million people waiting to use the service while the company has successfully deployed 1,800 or so satellites. Amazon in not much behind as the Federal Communications Commission granted the tech giant approval to deploy and operate constellation of 3,236 satellites through its $10 billion Project Kuiper. And before you start thinking abut rivalry of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, please remember that Elon was still on ground when Jeff Bezos went to space !

Elon Musk @elonmusk

@blueorigin Best of luck tomorrow!

Transportation Platforms including launch vehicles and space stations for manned and unmanned space travel. And if you are wondering how are those tens of thousands of satellites would reach their respective orbit then look no further as AgniKul wants to be leading developer of space launch vehicles. Of course, there are national space agencies including ISRO who can play a major role in manufacturing and launching these manned or unmanned vehicles but increasingly this task is being outsourced to smaller nimbler start-ups. In fact, as the following graphic shows that new age competitors have significantly brought down the cost of launch.

Tremendous potential is for creating platforms to enable material research and manufacturing in near space. There are multiple start-ups working in material and product supply, science and engineering and of course in space medicines. The combination of previous two dimensions in one or more platforms could provide “Cloud Kitchen“ like facilities to them.

To conclude , democratisation of space and related technology has begun. A word of caution about rushing into a space race and leaving debris around.

OTW

Over the Weekend, I was overwhelmed with messages/calls/chats on Guru Purnima from old (friends) and new students. It is always humbling experience to discover that some students remain in touch and I am not only pointing to specific occasions but generally as well. It feels good and satisfying to have known all of you. I am blessed to have you in my life.

I have learnt a lot about myself and subject from those wonderful interactions. I cherish the fond memories and recent conversations about life, career and current engagements. Keep them coming!

I am also indebted to my own former and current teachers for believing in me.

Stay Safe. Vaccinate ASAP.

I Love You

Shailendra