Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

Image Courtesy: Google

 ISRO  AWS AI

Amazon’s AWS Partners with ISRO to Enhance AI Capabilities with Cloud Technologies

Amazon’s AWS has formed a strategic partnership with ISRO and IN-SPACe to advance space-tech through cloud computing. This collaboration empowers startups, research institutes, and students.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), a major player in the cloud computing industry, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). This collaboration aims to support space-tech innovations through cloud computing, opening up exciting possibilities in the space sector.

Cloud Computing Empowering Space Innovation:

Shalini Kapoor, Director and Chief Technologist, Public Sector, AWS India and South Asia, emphasized that cloud computing-led innovations can significantly enhance the space industry by enabling quicker decision-making and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. AWS is committed to assisting startups in identifying use cases, accelerating solution development, and nurturing a talent pool in India specialized in cloud and space technologies.

As per the company, this collaboration will give space start-ups, research institutes and students access to cutting edge cloud technologies that accelerate the development of new solutions in the space sector.

“We are at a pivotal time in India’s space journey as the Indian government focuses on broadening and strengthening the country’s capabilities in the aerospace and satellite industry,” Kapoor from AWS added.

Sudheer Kumar N, Director of Capacity Building and Public Outreach at ISRO added to this and said, “Advancing innovation in the space sector is a top priority for our nation as geospatial solutions have the power to deliver high quality services for the good governance for citizens and add value to the stakeholders.”

AWS noted in its release that cloud computing would enable the speedy management of large volumes of raw space data, besides running AI, ML and analytics workloads to achieve meaningful outcomes in a highly cost-effective manner.

Furthermore, ISRO, IN-SPACe and AWS will work collaboratively to nurture and grow the startup community in the space-tech sector, they noted in their join statement. AWS will provide eligible space startups tools, resources, and expert technical support at no cost through the AWS Activate program to build innovative solutions and commercialise them faster. Startups will also benefit from access to AWS and its global experience of building aerospace and satellite solutions through the AWS Space Accelerator program.

Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe, highlighted this and said, “After the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing and Aditya L-1 mission, it is time we leverage the limitless potential of space technology and cloud computing to propel India’s space sector to new heights. IN-SPACe has continuously been striving to empower and facilitate the private space sector.”

The partnership will provide space start-ups, research institutions, and students access to state-of-the-art cloud technologies, facilitating the rapid development of new space solutions. Cloud computing will streamline the management of vast volumes of raw space data and support AI, machine learning (ML), and analytics workloads, all in a highly cost-effective manner.

Supporting the Space Startup Ecosystem:

ISRO, IN-SPACe, and AWS will collaborate to foster and expand the startup community within the space-tech sector. AWS will extend support to eligible space startups through the AWS Activate program, offering tools, resources, and expert technical assistance at no cost. This support aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative space solutions. Additionally, startups will gain access to AWS’s global expertise in building aerospace and satellite solutions through the AWS Space Accelerator program.

India’s Ambitious Space Goals:

Vinod Kumar, Director of the Promotion Directorate at IN-SPACe, highlighted the importance of leveraging space technology and cloud computing to elevate India’s space sector to new heights. After the successful Chandrayaan-3 moon landing and the Aditya L-1 mission, this collaboration underscores India’s commitment to empowering and facilitating the private space sector. It aims to harness the limitless potential of space technology and cloud computing for the benefit of India and the global space community.

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur